A Washington Post editorial today titled “How the FCC can best regulate the Internet,” depicts the appropriate role that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should take in regulating the Internet.  The article suggests that Congress regulate broadband on a case by case basis, rather than as a one size fits all approach.  

The Post editorial references a recent compromise between Google, a content provider and Verizon, a network provider that ensures that all streams are treated equally, and thus ensures net neutrality as well as limited enforcement for the FCC where instances appear to violate the service agreement.

“A better route would be legislative enactment of something like the Google-Verizon plan, with an emphasis on transparency about decisions that providers are making. Giving the FCC the authority to nudge things in the right direction will be a good first step. As the Internet evolves, the nature of needed oversight will evolve as well. Establishing a clearly limited power to take action against anti-competitive violations, rather than encumbering this vital sector with detailed and prescriptive regulation, is the sensible approach. “

We at ADE think that this is the right course of action.  By giving the FCC the power to regulate the Internet, as suggested by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s Third Way approach, millions of disadvantaged Americans could be deprived of the economic and educational benefits of the Internet.  At a time when our nation is suffering from the deepest recession since the Great Depression, we need to encourage investment in infrastructure like broadband that will lead to job creation.  Moving down the FCC’s proposed path will do the complete opposite and that is simply unacceptable for hurting communities across the country.

It is critical that Congress continue to take the lead and create the template on how we can find a sensible way forward.  Indeed, the future of our nation—and of our citizens’ prosperity—depends on it.

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