WISPA Asks FCC to Exempt Small Broadband Providers from New Net Neutrality Requirements
Ossian, IN (PRWEB) July 16, 2014 -- The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), a membership organization that promotes the development, advancement and unity of the wireless Internet service provider (WISP) industry, today filed Comments with the FCC seeking exemptions for small broadband providers and WISPs from any new open Internet rules the FCC may adopt.
WISPA’s Comments demonstrate that imposing new disclosure and reporting obligations on small businesses would increase costs that would be passed on to consumers, would delay expansion of broadband to unserved and underserved areas and would chill entry by new companies that would face increased barriers. WISPA explained that imposing new regulatory burdens on small broadband providers would contravene Commission precedent in which small businesses were given relief from regulations and undermine Congressional and FCC policies intended to promote the expansion of broadband.
“Much of the dialogue about net neutrality has focused on the big broadband providers and the big content providers,” said Alex Phillips, WISPA’s FCC Committee chair. “We wanted to be sure that the voices of small broadband providers, WISPs and consumers in rural areas are heard, because the market conditions are different for them. We look forward to a productive dialogue with the FCC and other stakeholders as the process moves forward.”
WISPA’s Comments also propose a streamlined enforcement process with specific requirements intended to minimize questions and disputes before the FCC intervenes. WISPA also recommended regulation under existing broadband authority and not rules applicable to monopoly-era telephone companies.
About WISPA
WISPA is a membership-driven trade association that promotes the development, advancement and unity of the 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.
Alex Phillips, WISPA, http://www.wispa.org, 540.908.3993, [email protected]
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