Markey urges FCC to drop new net neutrality regulations

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on Wednesday called on the Federal Communications Commission to reject proposed regulations governing consumers’ Internet use.

The FCC will vote Thursday to advance new net neutrality rules that would allow Internet providers to charge companies for faster data delivery speeds. The rules would also prevent Internet providers from blocking access to certain websites.

{mosads}Markey said that such changes to how Americans use the Internet would impede innovation. Using C-SPAN as an example, he said that users could potentially see slower live streams.

“Let’s face it, the action in this deliberative body can sometimes feel a little bit slow,” Markey said. “Now imagine just a few companies deciding that C-SPAN.org will be put into a slow lane that public interest content streamed out to the world will be sent out at an even more deliberative pace, while kitten videos will get priority.”

Markey said that the proposed net neutrality rules would favor wealthy entrepreneurs.

“Only those with access to deep pockets would develop anything new. Imagine the stifling of creativity that startups need maximum amounts of money even to innovate,” Markey said.

The Massachusetts Democrat further argued that different Internet speeds for certain companies would discourage creativity.

“No one should have to ask permission to innovate. But with fast and slow lanes, that’s exactly what an entrepreneur will need to do,” Markey said.

Julian Hattem contributed.