Washington (January 07, 2015) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), author of the first net neutrality bill to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, today commended Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler for his commitment to taking action on net neutrality at the February FCC Open Meeting. Last month, Senator Markey was joined by 38 Senate and House Democrats in calling on the FCC to protect an open and free Internet by immediately finalizing new net neutrality rules. Next week will mark one year since the D.C. District Court invalidated the Commission’s previous net neutrality rules.

“I am pleased to hear that Chairman Wheeler is being guided by Title II on the FCC’s path toward new open Internet rules. The best way to prevent the broadband behemoths from erecting online tollbooths and undermining the openness of the Internet is to reclassify broadband under Title II. Net neutrality is just a fancy term for nondiscrimination, and it is the democratic foundation of the Internet that the FCC must preserve in order to maintain online freedom.

“I commend Chairman Wheeler for his commitment to move forward and vote on strong net neutrality rules at the February FCC open meeting. The Commission must act quickly to ensure the Internet remains free and open for commerce and communications for future generations.”

In July 2013, Senator Markey and 12 Senate Democrats called on the FCC to protect the openness and freedom of the Internet by reclassifying broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act.

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