Official White House Response to Petition To Restore Net Neutrality...

[Triana]

OFFICIAL THE WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE TO
Restore Net Neutrality By Directing the FCC to Classify Internet Providers as "Common Carriers".
Reaffirming the White House's Commitment to Net Neutrality
By Gene Sperling and Todd Park

Thank you to everyone who has signed on to this petition in support of a free and open Internet. Since his days as a United States Senator, President Obama has embraced the principle of net neutrality. As the President recently noted, his campaign for the White House was empowered by an open Internet; it allowed millions of supporters to interact with the President and each other in unprecedented fashion. That experience helped give rise to the creation of this very platform -- the We The People website -- where Americans can express their opinions on any topic and receive a response from the White House. Rights of free speech, and the free flow of information, are central to our society and economy -- and the principle of net neutrality gives every American an equal and meaningful opportunity to participate in both. Indeed, an open Internet is an engine for freedom around the world.

Preserving an open Internet is vital not to just to the free flow of information, but also to promoting innovation and economic productivity. Because of its openness, the Internet has allowed entrepreneurs -- with just a small amount of seed money or a modest grant -- to take their innovative ideas from the garage or the dorm room to every corner of the Earth, building companies, creating jobs, improving vital services, and fostering even more innovation along the way.

Absent net neutrality, the Internet could turn into a high-priced private toll road that would be inaccessible to the next generation of visionaries. The resulting decline in the development of advanced online apps and services would dampen demand for broadband and ultimately discourage investment in broadband infrastructure. An open Internet removes barriers to investment worldwide.

A wide spectrum of stakeholders and policymakers recognize the importance of these principles. In the wake of last month's court decision, it was encouraging to hear major broadband providers assert their commitment to an open Internet.

It was also encouraging to see Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, whom the President appointed to that post last year, reaffirm his commitment to a free and open Internet and pledge to use the authority granted by Congress to maintain a free and open Internet. The White House strongly supports the FCC and Chairman Wheeler in this effort.

The petition asked that the President direct the FCC to reclassify Internet service providers as "common carriers" which, if upheld, would give the FCC a distinct set of regulatory tools to promote net neutrality. The FCC is an independent agency. Chairman Wheeler has publicly pledged to use the full authority granted by Congress to maintain a robust, free and open Internet -- a principle that this White House vigorously supports.

Gene Sperling is Director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. Todd Park is the United States Chief Technology Officer and Assistant to the President.

LINK: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/reaffirming-white-houses-commitment-net-neutrality?utm_source=wethepeople&utm_medium=email&utm_content=net-neutrality-response
LINK with Petition: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/restore-net-neutrality-directing-fcc-classify-internet-providers-common-carriers/5CWS1M4P

[KoKo]

1. Sounds good....but this is concerning

The petition asked that the President direct the FCC to reclassify Internet service providers as "common carriers" which, if upheld, would give the FCC a distinct set of regulatory tools to promote net neutrality. The FCC is an independent agency. Chairman Wheeler has publicly pledged to use the full authority granted by Congress to maintain a robust, free and open Internet -- a principle that this White House vigorously supports.


I read the above as: The President cannot direct the FCC to reclassify Internet service providers as "common carriers" because the FCC is an independent agency. [Chairman Wheeler has "Publicly (what does he privately think) and the President in principle supports a free and open internet...but really can't do anything if Wheeler and FCC don't agree to "reclassify Internet service providers as "common carriers." In Other Words...it's out of the President's hands.

[Triana]

5. That is EXACTLY the paragraph that concerned me as well.

[justiceischeap]

2. And just because this President supports a "free and open Internet"

doesn't mean the next one will -- Dem or Repub.

[1awake]

3. Yea... got the email

The biggest non answer, answer I have ever seen. It literally says nothing in regards to the petition other than... not answering it.

[Triana]

6. It's an answer. It says: "we're not going to do anything"

Or, "there's nothing we can do" (which I'm not buying but I don't know what the options are either).

Is it true that there's nothing they can do? Or is this just "we're not going to do anything". Either way, that's the answer. In a word: "NO."

[Boom Sound 416]

4. How is the FCC and independent agency?

[KoKo]

7. You mean how can it be Independent if the President appoints the Chairperson?

That's a good question. What does Wheeler think privately about Net Neutrality and how strong is his influence.

As I remember it, both parties get to appoint an equal number of people to the FCC who vote. But, I remember when Colin Powell's son was head of FCC and he pushed through whatever the Bush crowd and Telecom Companies wanted because two of the Dems would side with the Republicans and that left only Michael Copps to be the Dem hero to try to keep working for Net Neutrality. I don't know who the voting members are at the FCC and their views today.

[Boom Sound 416]

8. But we sure can guess