NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
September 21, 2009 Jen Howard, 202-418-0506
Email: Jen.Howard@fcc.gov
FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI OUTLINES ACTIONS TO
PRESERVE THE FREE AND OPEN INTERNET
WASHINGTON -- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski 
outlined the concrete actions he believes the Commission must take to preserve the free and open 
Internet at a speech today at The Brookings Institution.
“The Internet is an extraordinary platform for innovation, job creation, investment, and 
opportunity. It has unleashed the potential of entrepreneurs and enabled the launch and growth of 
small businesses across America,” said Chairman Genachowski.  “It is vital that we safeguard 
the free and open Internet.”
The Commission previously embraced four open Internet principles affirming that consumers 
must be able to access the lawful Internet content, applications, and services of their choice, and 
attach non-harmful devices to the network. These four principles guide the FCC’s existing case-
by-case enforcement of communications law.
In today’s speech, Chairman Genachowski proposed the addition of two new principles. The first 
would prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or 
applications, while allowing for reasonable network management. The second principle would 
ensure that Internet access providers are transparent about the network management practices 
they implement. The Chairman also proposed clarifying that all six principles apply to all 
platforms that access the Internet.
Chairman Genachowski will seek to begin the process of codifying the Commission’s existing 
four open Internet principles, along with the two additional principles, through a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) at the October meeting. The NPRM will ask for input and 
feedback on the proposed rules and their application, such as how to determine whether network 
management practices are reasonable, what information broadband providers should disclose 
about their network management practices and how the rules apply to differing platforms, 
including mobile Internet access services.
“I look forward to working with my Commission colleagues on this important initiative,” 
Chairman Genachowski said.  “Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker each 
bring a unique and important perspective to the complex issues at stake and I look forward to 
getting their input and insight when we kick-off the rulemaking process next month.”
As part of Chairman Genachowski’s commitment to openness and transparency, the FCC 
launched a new website, www.openInternet.gov to encourage public participation.
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