A number of prominent Republicans have harshly criticized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for passing a Net Neutrality order without first conducting an objective market-based analysis.
“The FCC has done nothing to specifically quantify any harm requiring intervention, or the potential harm to consumers, innovation or the economy from the proposed rules,” claimed Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee Fred Upton (R-Mich) during a recent House hearing.
Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), chairman of the communications subcommittee, expressed similar sentiments.
“The FCC even confesses in its order that it has done no market analysis… It just selectively applied the rules to broadband providers, shielding Web companies.”
But Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) offered his support for the controversial order and noted that smaller companies wouldn’t stand a chance of surviving without Net Neutrality.
“[You know], I wish the FCC had gone [even] further,” said Markey, who labeled the larger providers “broadband barons.”
Markey added that such carriers and corporations stood ready to shamelessly oppose legitimate competition “anytime they [had] control of something.”
(Via Politico)
