WISPA Asks FCC to Stay Title II and Internet Conduct Rules
Redding, CA (PRWEB) May 01, 2015 -- The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), a membership organization that promotes the development, advancement, and unity of the fixed wireless Internet service provider (WISP) industry, joined other trade associations today in asking the Federal Communications Commission to stay new FCC rules that would, for the first time, regulate broadband Internet access service providers under Title II of the Communications Act and would impose general conduct standards on their business practices.
The stay request (GN Docket No. 14-28) is supported by declarations from a number of WISPA’s members who are small, privately-funded broadband providers serving America’s smallest communities. They demonstrated that they would suffer irreparable harm if the FCC’s order becomes effective on June 12, 2015. The request does not seek to delay the FCC’s bright-line rules – no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization – but instead requests a stay while Court challenges to the Title II reclassification and the general Internet conduct standards are litigated and resolved.
“As the declarations from WISPs reflect, reclassification of broadband under Title II is a seismic shift that will adversely impact small broadband providers and divert revenue to lawyers,” said Elizabeth Bowles, WISPA Board member. “Many of our members have already cut back on investment amid concerns over uncertain rules, including deferring on expansion plans, slowing network upgrades allocating less funding for capital projects, and a substantial increase in legal fees.”
“WISPA’s members are ill-equipped to handle the lost opportunities, costs and regulatory burdens that these rules will impose on them. A temporary stay, while the Court hears the arguments, is the best way to protect these small broadband providers from the current and future costs posed by the June 12th effective date. Without a stay, even a favorable Court decision may come too late for many of our members.” Bowles concluded.
About WISPA
WISPA is a membership-driven trade association that promotes the development, advancement and unity of the fixed wireless Internet service provider industry. WISPA has over 800 members that support WISPA’s advocacy, education and other collaborative industry initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.wispa.org.
Elizabeth Bowles, WISPA, http://www.wispa.org, 501.374.4638, [email protected]
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