View a pdf of this press release here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory
brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org
THE FCC’S RESPONSE TO THE NARROW REMAND OF RESTORING INTERNET FREEDOM ORDER UNDERMINES UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY GOALS
Washington D.C. (October 30, 2020) – On October 29, 2020, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued a response to the Narrow Remand of Restoring Internet Freedom Order and found no basis to challenge the Court’s position on the Order.
Next Century Cities’ Policy Counsel Ryan Johnston responded to Chairman Pai’s decision:
“The D.C. Circuit Court told the Commission that it was incorrect in assuming that potential benefits of reclassification of broadband as a Title I service would outweigh the harms for public safety, pole attachments, and the Lifeline program.
“However, instead of reassessing how this decision impacts low-income populations that rely on the Lifeline program and other unserved and underserved communities, the FCC simply affirmed its decision and refused to take a deeper look at any of these topics as the court required.
“With connectivity being more important than ever and the Commission touting its own accomplishments in connecting the unconnected, this Order now relegates low-income consumers and BIAS-only providers to a dark, uncertain corner of telecom policy.”
Read the Federal Communications Commissions’ Order on Remand here.
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Next Century Cities is a non-profit organization of over 200 communities, founded to support communities and their elected leaders. Our membership includes mayors and other officials who are working to ensure that all have access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet access. For more information, visit www.nextcenturycities.org .