Democrat senators are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend the public comment period on its proposal to scrap the net neutrality rules.
Fifteen Democrats led by Sen. Ed Markey Ed MarkeyDemocrats demand changes to FCC Republican nominee's confirmation Senate confirms Trump's new FBI director US, South Korea talk military options following North Korea missile test MORE (Mass.) in a letter Thursday to Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai asked that he provide more time for comments, citing the unprecedented number of comments on the rules.
“This volume of comments underscores the tremendous interest the public has in this proceeding,” the senators wrote. “Given the unprecedented number of comments, we urge the FCC to extend the reply comment period to allow sufficient time for the public to ensure their views are reflected in the record.”
To date, Pai's “Restoring Internet Freedom” proposal to roll back Obama-era net neutrality measures aimed at creating a level playing field for internet companies has received more than 16 million comments, more than any other FCC item in history. The previous record happened during the FCC’s last net neutrality proceedings in 2014, in which the public filed about 4 million comments on the matter.
Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Ron Wyden Ron WydenOvernight Tech: Senate bill aims to boost rural broadband | Tech pushes back against online sex trafficking bill | Lawmakers tackle internet device security Overnight Cybersecurity: Senate confirms Trump's FBI pick | Lawmakers move to boost 'internet of things' security | Senators unveil overseas data privacy bill Dem calls on Sessions to release violent crime task force guidance MORE (Ore.) and Al Franken Al FrankenAl Franken: 'I make fun of the people who deserved it' OPINION | Democrats: Time to wish Hillary Clinton good luck and goodbye Franken: ‘Constitutional crisis’ if Trump uses recess appointment to replace Sessions with someone who’ll fire Mueller MORE (Minn.) were among those signing the letter to Pai.
The lawmakers also noted that the comment period for approving net neutrality in 2014 was 60 days. Pai has only allowed a 30-day comment period for his plan to rollback the rules.
“This proceeding has the potential to impact all Americans and as the expert agency, you should ensure that the Commission provides ample time to ensure all voices are heard,” the senators wrote.
Democratic lawmakers, consumer advocates and internet companies like Reddit and Facebook back the net neutrality rules, while GOP lawmakers and telecom giants like AT&T and Comcast want them scrapped.
Critics say net neutrality has reduced investment in broadband infrastructure and will lead to slower and more expensive internet access for consumers.
Supporters of the rules say scaling them back could give broadband providers too much power over internet content.
BirdsOfAres on August 4th, 2017 at 02:55 UTC »
As frustrated as I am with this whole thing, it's not like this would help anyway. We need a change of FCC leadership. Even if they keep the existing rules, it's not like they are enforcing them. Didn't Verizon just admit to throttling last week? And, what consequence do they face? Nothing. Nothing at all. We're gonna ruin the Earth's internet.
justacheesyguy on August 4th, 2017 at 01:44 UTC »
Unless they extend it for at least 4.5 more years, I don't see the point at all. It's not like they plan on listening to the comments in the first place.
vriska1 on August 3rd, 2017 at 21:39 UTC »
if you want to help protect NN you can support groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU and Free Press who are fighting to keep Net Neutrality.
https://www.eff.org/
https://www.aclu.org/
https://www.freepress.net/
https://www.fightforthefuture.org/
https://www.publicknowledge.org/
https://demandprogress.org/
also you can set them as your charity on https://smile.amazon.com/
also write to your House Representative and senators http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state
and the FCC
https://www.fcc.gov/about/contact
You can now add a comment to the repeal here
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=17-108&sort=date_disseminated,DESC
here a easier URL you can use thanks to John Oliver
www.gofccyourself.com
you can also use this that help you contact your house and congressional reps, its easy to use and cuts down on the transaction costs with writing a letter to your reps.
https://resistbot.io/
also check out
https://democracy.io/#!/
which was made by the EFF and is a low transactioncost tool for writing all your reps in one fell swoop and just a reminder that the FCC vote on 18th is to begin the process of rolling back Net Neutrality so there will be a 3 month comment period and the final vote will likely be around the 18th of August at least that what I have read, correct me if am wrong