Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said on Thursday that regulations proposed by the Obama administration that would impact net neutrality are unnecessary and would hamper a billion dollar marketplace.
Upton, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, delivered his remarks in a joint statement with House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.).
On Wednesday, the FCC said it would propose new rules that let companies pay Internet service providers for special, faster lines to transmit content to customers over broadband. The rule chge would affect net neutrality, the idea that providers of legal content online should not face discrimination in providing legal services to consumers, and that consumers should have equal access to content.
“We have said repeatedly that the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules are a solution in search of a problem,” Upton and Walden said. “The marketplace has thrived and will continue to serve customers and invest billions annually to meet Americans’ broadband needs without these rules. (FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s) approach to regulation seeks to freeze current market practices, which will cast a chill on technological breakthroughs and cause American consumers to lose out.”
Upton and Walden also said Internet service providers have indicated that they will adhere to the spirit of rules that were previously struck down by the courts.
“It is well past time for the commission to focus on areas where its work will foster new innovation, competition and job creation,” the legislators said.