An Open Letter on Net Neutrality to the Federal Communications Commission
On Thursday, December 14th, the FCC will vote on whether to repeal or maintain Title II classifications for Internet Service Providers — a status that brings strict oversight and maintains fair and equal access to the resources and information available on the internet. Below is the letter I wrote on behalf of Pantsuit Nation to the Chairman and Commissioners of the FCC urging them to preserve network neutrality.
December 11, 2017
Dear Chairman Pai, Commissioner Clyburn, Commissioner O’Rielly, Commissioner Carr, and Commissioner Rosenworcel,
I am the Executive Director of Pantsuit Nation, a 3.8million-member online community using storytelling to highlight the impact policy has on American lives. Our work, and the work of many other online communities, businesses, schools, and more relies on open access to the internet in order to thrive. Without free and open network access, our ability to communicate, mobilize, connect, and share content would be dramatically curbed. I write to implore you to maintain network neutrality in your vote on Thursday, December 14th.
I am deeply concerned that the F.C.C. is considering eliminating net neutrality and the strong Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers. Preserving an open internet is crucial for fair and equal access to the resources and information available on it. Without net neutrality, small businesses, low-income individuals, and much of rural America would lose access to affordable, reasonably-fast internet service. This impacts residents’ ability to access online education, work from home or run internet-based businesses, bridge geographical distance with family and community members, and share and consume content they and their neighbors have created.
If the F.C.C. votes to change the classification of ISPs to Title I services, and thus undercut strict federal oversight, you will effectively create an internet access class system — with the wealthiest users able to access any and all content online, while those with financial constraints will be left to pick and choose what they access and what they have to give up.
This does not benefit anyone but the large ISPs who have been lobbying for this change. They seek to profit from the change in classification to Title I and are willing to trade free and open internet access, a utility critical to societal and financial success across America, for an increase in their profits. This tradeoff cannot stand.
I urge you to put consumers before corporations, open access before profits, and right before wrong. Vote to maintain Title II classification of ISPs, and protect network neutrality.
Thank you,
Cortney Tunis
For more information about our organization, or to make a donation, please visit our website. Pantsuit Nation is proud to be a project of Civic Engagement Fund.
