ALSO CALLS FOR COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

Washington, Oct 5, 2009 - “At first glance, net neutrality regulations may appear reasonable and harmless, but, a deeper examination reveals that net neutrality is neither reasonable nor harmless,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Ranking Member of the House Communications, Technology & the Internet Subcommittee. “These mandates would harm consumers, reduce competition, and discourage new investment and innovation at a time of tremendous technological growth.”

Stearns has written a letter to Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), urging a thorough examination on the need for and impact of net neutrality regulation. Stearns wrote, “The FCC bears the responsibility to prove a market failure, especially since its 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007 decisions on cable modem service, digital subscriber line service, broadband over power line service, and wireless broadband service were predicated on the notion that the broadband market nationwide is competitive and that regulation is unwarranted.”

The letter concludes, “If after this analysis you conclude that intervention is necessary, the intervention should be tailored to your analysis and should be the minimum required to prevent the practices you have identified as appropriate targets of regulation.”