WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Wednesday filed in support of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s proposal to reinstate strong net neutrality rules.
Restoring the 2015 net neutrality rules will drive innovation, economic growth and the free exchange of ideas by ensuring the Internet remains open, secure and accessible to all.
"Fair and open access to the Internet underpins virtually every aspect of American life,” said Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. "The Biden Administration supports the FCC’s efforts to put rules in place that preserve an open Internet, promote national security and protect consumers."
As the President’s principal advisor on telecommunications and information policy, NTIA is charged with developing, coordinating, and presenting Executive Branch views to the FCC. President Biden encouraged the FCC to adopt net neutrality rules as part of the Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.
NTIA supports the Commission’s proposal to once again prohibit Internet service providers from blocking users from websites, deliberately slowing traffic to sites and cutting deals with website operators for faster access.
Additionally, NTIA’s filing notes the importance of FCC authority over Internet service providers to support national security. Without this authority, the FCC has limited ability to stop networks controlled by foreign adversaries from providing Internet services in the U.S.
It will take a whole-of-government approach to address security issues involving communications technologies. With that in mind, NTIA’s filing outlines three principles for the FCC to consider when addressing national security issues. The principles encourage the Commission to:
- Work closely with the Executive Branch on issues of overlapping jurisdiction and deferring as appropriate to expert agencies;
- Rely on well-established and successful multistakeholder processes; and
- When a regulatory approach is necessary, craft rules that are carefully targeted to remedy the national security problem while preserving important Open Internet principles.
Government services, health care, financial markets, infrastructure, and transportation, among other critical networks, all depend on broadband. Interconnectivity fuels our society but also introduces risks and vulnerabilities. A whole of government, multistakeholder approach is needed to safeguard this important infrastructure.
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About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.