FCC Release of Title II Order Unleashes Comment Deluge

By John Eggerton
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

The Federal Communications Commission's release of the Title II order Thursday opened the floodgates as stakeholders rushed to react to the 400-page document and began to figure out the details, where at least the two Republican commissioners argue many devils — rate regulation, unbundling and more — lie in wait.

Republican commissioner Ajit Pai, who associated the Title II plan with President Obama, not FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, after Obama urged the Title II approach, said the order means rate regulation, the potential outlawing of pro-consumer service plans and higher broadband bills.

He said the order will drive smaller broadband providers out of business, thus reducing competition rather than fostering it.

For the full story go to Multichannel.com.

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.