Press Release
Free Press Cheers FCC Chairman for Finally Speaking Out Against Verizon-Google Pact
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski expressed displeasure with the Internet pact struck between Verizon and Google last summer, saying he wished they “didn’t do exactly what they did, when they did.” Genachowski was referring to the proposed deal the two companies announced in August that was presented as a compromise on Network Neutrality, but that would weaken safeguards for all Internet users, completely eliminating consumer protections on wireless networks and stripping the FCC of its rulemaking power.
Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver made the following statement:
“We are heartened to hear Chairman Genachowski finally express his disappointment with the Verizon-Google proposal. The loud public backlash made it evident that consumers would not accept a deal that would have divided the Internet into fast and slow lanes and allowed Internet service providers to block and prioritize content accessed through wireless devices. Clearly, relying on backroom deals cut between giant industry players is not the way to make policies that protect the public interest.
“The American people are still waiting for the chairman to deliver on his promise to establish real Net Neutrality rules that would prevent AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from creating toll roads on the Web. There is only one Internet, and consumers need clear rules to ensure that they are protected from Internet service providers who are seeking to monetize and monopolize the Web to pad their bottom lines.”
Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver made the following statement:
“We are heartened to hear Chairman Genachowski finally express his disappointment with the Verizon-Google proposal. The loud public backlash made it evident that consumers would not accept a deal that would have divided the Internet into fast and slow lanes and allowed Internet service providers to block and prioritize content accessed through wireless devices. Clearly, relying on backroom deals cut between giant industry players is not the way to make policies that protect the public interest.
“The American people are still waiting for the chairman to deliver on his promise to establish real Net Neutrality rules that would prevent AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from creating toll roads on the Web. There is only one Internet, and consumers need clear rules to ensure that they are protected from Internet service providers who are seeking to monetize and monopolize the Web to pad their bottom lines.”
