WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a longstanding proponent of net neutrality and author of the first ever net neutrality bill, issued the following statement following today’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) open meeting:

“The Open Internet Order is not perfect, and it does not contain all the protections and priorities that I’ve advocated for since I introduced the first-ever net neutrality legislation almost three years ago.  I have repeatedly called for one regulatory framework for wireless and wireline Internet access and an explicit ban on paid prioritization, and today’s Order falls short in these two areas. Still, it does represent a step forward in the process of preserving the Internet as a vibrant marketplace for commerce and communications while fostering innovation and job creation now and in the future. The Order contains some safeguards for wireless customers, including a prohibition on blocking websites and competing applications, and mandates that the rules are revisited within two years to review compliance with the Open Internet rules. Today’s Order marks the beginning of a new phase in the effort to preserve an open, unfettered Internet. In some areas of the Order, the FCC gets high letter grades, but in others, the agency gets an incomplete. Robust implementation of today's Order will be required to ensure the freedom and openness of the Internet, and I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Genachowski and the Commission on this vital issue.”   

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