January 12, 2016 (Washington, DC) - The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing today on a bill that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from regulating broadband rates. The hearing on H.R. 2666, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act, authored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would prevent the FCC from regulating the rates charged for broadband Internet. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has previously stated that the Open Internet Order is not about regulating rates, so this bill reduces his statement to a statutory requirement.
MMTC believes H.R. 2666 will create certainty that will assist in closing the digital divide for those who must choose between broadband and bare necessities. The key to bridging this divide is in completing the buildout of broadband in every community, and not just in wealthy communities. We believe rate regulation has the opposite effect of what is needed to encourage deployment because it would provide Internet service providers with an excuse to not invest in broadband or high speed Internet. Rate regulation also discourages the roll-out of innovative pricing, such as through advertiser-supported business models, to address affordability and other barriers to consumer adoption of broadband.
We must continue to work toward universal access to the digital economy if we are to ensure health, education, and job opportunities are available to all Americans. MMTC welcomes this hearing as a step in the right direction.
