NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
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).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 1, 2010 Charles Mathias (202) 418-2400
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MEREDITH ATTWELL BAKER ON THE INCLUSION 
OF NET NEUTRALITY ON THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR THE COMMISSION’S 
DECEMBER OPEN MEETING
The Chairman has announced his intent for the Commission to adopt a Net Neutrality Order at our 
delayed December Open Meeting. He has circulated a draft that purports to be a compromise 
solution. This is a mistake.
We do not have authority to act.  The new majority of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce 
has asked the Commission not to circulate this Order, and a clear majority of all Members of Congress 
has expressed concern with our Internet policies. Whether the Internet should be regulated is a decision
best left to the directly elected representatives of the American people.
I urge the Chairman to defer action on Net Neutrality until the new Congress has had an opportunity to 
address this issue.  Until such time, it would be reckless and inappropriate for the Commission to act upon 
the Chairman’s controversial and partisan proposal.  Moving forward would be a direct rebuke of 
Congress that could jeopardize unnecessarily our ability to partner with Congress on issues of great 
national importance.
Just because Title II is even more destructive to investment does not transform Title I into a middle 
ground. The American people seek sensible consensus-driven solutions, not more big government 
intervention.
This March, all 5 FCC commissioners joined together on a Joint Statement on Broadband. We all agreed 
our top priorities included broadband deployment, broadband adoption, spectrum reform, universal 
service policy, and public safety. Net Neutrality appears no where in that consensus agenda. Yet by 
today’s regrettable decision, the Chairman has elevated a partisan Net Neutrality pledge above a 
bipartisan commitment.
We all believe in an open Internet. It is open today, it is fast moving, and it serves as a vibrant growth 
engine for our economy and job creation.  Let’s not rush to undermine it.