WASHINGTON, DC—Today, two of America’s biggest internet companies, Google and Verizon, revealed the terms of a privately-reached proposal intended to serve as a legislative framework for net neutrality. Currently, the FCC is considering ways to reassert its basic authority to regulate broadband and protect the open internet. This afternoon’s announcement from Google and Verizon follows the recent collapse of talks between the Commission and internet stakeholders meant to arrive at a regulatory consensus.
The following statement is attributed to Casey Rae-Hunter, Communications Director and Policy Strategist for Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians that supports the open internet via its artist-driven Rock the Net campaign.
“Today’s announcement from Google and Verizon was expected by those familiar with ongoing conversations around net neutrality. While it is encouraging to hear two of the largest online players express support for non-discrimination principles regarding web traffic, we must note that the principles outlined in this joint proposal are in no way enforceable absent clear rules of the road issued by the FCC or Congress.
“For a decade, Future of Music Coalition has called for a straightforward internet framework that lets artists compete in a legitimate digital music marketplace alongside the biggest companies. We are pleased that the FCC and members of Congress recognize the importance of an open internet, and encourage policymakers to work towards a timely resolution to these issues. Yet we are concerned about the viability of any proposal issued by just two of the stakeholders in the online ecosystem, however well-intentioned.
“There is also some question about how the so-called ‘public internet’ — described in today’s Verizon-Google conference call — would continue to grow and develop alongside the ‘additional online services’ hinted at in the proposal.
“Today’s events serve to further highlight the need for an appropriate regulatory framework that would clarify what is and isn’t acceptable online. We continue to look forward to the establishment of clear, enforceable rules to preserve the open internet as a crucial platform for musicians.”
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More