Midcontinent Statement on FCC Decision to Regulate the Internet

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Midcontinent Statement on FCC Decision to Regulate the Internet

Sioux Falls, SD: Midcontinent Communications released the following statement regarding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to regulate the Internet under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.

“We are committed to the principles of net neutrality that will ensure an open Internet, and Midcontinent has been supportive of all previous FCC efforts for rules that do just that. Unfortunately, the FCC yesterday took action that goes far beyond the desirable goals of net neutrality and outfits the Internet with more than 300 pages of 1930s telecommunication regulations referred to as Title II,” says Pat McAdaragh, President and CEO of Midcontinent Communications. 

“We view this action as regulatory overreach by the FCC. The FCC had other appropriate tools to achieve its stated objectives, yet it chose a complex and far-reaching set of regulations that will extend the decade-long period of legal uncertainty surrounding the Internet. The Title II framework raises many legal questions and ensures litigation that will take even more years to wind through the courts. Rather than rely on this patchwork of Title II regulations, we encourage and support a truly bipartisan legislative solution that brings certainty regarding the openness of the Internet. We will continue to serve our broadband customers as always by providing open and unfettered access to the Internet,” adds McAdaragh.