Action by FCC further illustrates why proposed Comcast/Time Warner merger would be bad for consumers

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree reacted to published reports today that the FCC is going to abandon the principle of net neutrality, in which all Internet providers are treated equally. According to news reports, the FCC will allow Internet providers like Comcast or Time Warner to charge extra fees for content providers like Netflix to stream their service.

"This is a blow to a free and open Internet and will have serious, long term consequences," Pingree said. "The FCC is making the wrong call in this case and now it's up to Congress to do the right thing and pass legislation that guarantees the Internet treats all traffic equally."

Pingree, a cosponsor of a bill that would guarantee the principle of net neutrality, said the reported FCC decision is another reason why themerger of Comcast and Time Warner will be bad for consumers and bad for Internet freedom.

"This decision would give big Internet providers the right to discriminate against certain content providers by charging them more. That means a new Comcast/Time Warner would be in a perfect position to crush competitors like Netflix simple because they own the connections to so many homes," Pingree said.

Pingree has been a vocal opponent of the Comcast/Time Warner merger and started a petition opposing the deal on Credo Mobilize that has attracted over 160,000 signatures.