FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS C O M MISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CH ... IR MAN The Honorable Don Beyer U.S. House of Representatives 43 1 Cannon I louse Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 15 Dear Congressman Beyer: March 26, 20 15 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. 1 appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the reco rd. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fa ir: and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications C omrnission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platfo rm for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utili zing the combined authority of Ti tle ll of the Communications Act and Section 706 of' the Telecommunications Act. these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input rccei vcd O\ er the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of li stening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of lire. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest pos. ible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line ru les banning paid pric)ritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be us,~d to stop ne-w and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these ru:es apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fi xed broadband services. The approach we take 111 this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the futur'"'. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are groundl.!d in the strongest duthori ty the FCC can utilize: a modernized application ofT itle II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. I refer to this application ofTitle 11 as "modernized'" because -w e have used the forbearance au thority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. ln particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions ofTitle II and more than 700 f-CC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate rl!gulation, Page 2- T'he llonorable Don Beyer tarifling, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title 11 authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. l appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. ~~~- Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON O FF ICE OF T H E C H AI R MAN The llonorable Andre Carson U.S. House of Representatives 2453 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Carson: March 26, 2015 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections. owing the significant role mobile service play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free e>.pression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title 11 of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization. blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadbanu services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. I refer to this application of Title Jl as ''modernized'' because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions ofTitle II and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2- The llonorable Andre Carson tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any fut1her assistance. Tom Wheeler F EDERAL COMMUN ICAT IONS COMMISSION W ASHINGTON OFF ICE OF THE C H A IRMAN The llonorable Donna Edwards U.S. I louse of Representatives 2445 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Edwards: March 26, 201 5 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access acros the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 20 15, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of li fe. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. SpecificaJly, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be u~ed to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the fi rst time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road fo r all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. I refer to this application of Title ll as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions of Title ll and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2- The Honorable Donna Edwards tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL C O MMUNIC ATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF T H E CHAIRMAN The Honorable Janice Hahn U.S. House of Representatives 404 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Hahn: March 26, 2015 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title 11 of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months oflistening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization. blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear wles of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong wles need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. I refer to this application of Title II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we arc not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions of Title ll and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2-The Honorable Janice Hahn tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title n authority and applied to both iixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL C O MMUNICATIONS C O MMI SSIO N WAS HINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee U. . House of Representatives 2 160 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Jackson Lee: March 26, 20 15 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair ; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utiliz ing the combined authonty of Title II of the Communications Act and ection 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rul es are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks oJ' life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, whi le ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future . trong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title 11 of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. 1 re fer to this application ofTitle II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions ofTitle II and more than 700 FCC rules and regularions. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2 The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title 11 authority and applied to both fixed and mobile co1mections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and i1movators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if 1 can be of any further assistance. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON O FFICE OF T HE C H AI R MAN The Honorable Marcy Kaptur U.S. House of Representatives 2186 Rayburn House Office Building Washington. D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Kaptur: March 26, 2015 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair ; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title 11 of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulcmaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to top new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed an<.l mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. I refer to this application ofTitle II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions ofTitle II and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2- The Honorable Marcy Kaptur tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC' s new rules, grounded in strong Title ll authority and applied to both fixed anu mobile connections, carry the support of mil lions of Americans. and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know 1f 1 can be of any further assistance. Tom Wheeler F EDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF TH E C HAIRMAN The Honorable Jim McDermott U.S. J louse of Representatives 1035 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman McDermott: March 26, 2015 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet acc~ss across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, 1 have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair: and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, thest; rules are roott;d in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open mlemaking in h1story and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the CommissiOn, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders. the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules batming paid prioritintion, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders. while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act. combined with ection 706 of the Telecommunications Act. l refer to this application ofTitle II as '·modernized'' because we have used the forbearance authorit) granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to thl!st: modern networks. ln particular, the Order forbears from 27 prov1sions oi'Title II and more than 700 f-CC rules and regulation~ . This forbearance is targeted to avoid major i s~ues like rate regulation, Page 2--The Honorable Jim McDermott tarifiing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Ti tle II authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years w come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMA N The I ionorable Jerrold Nadler U .. I louse of Representatives 21 I 0 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Nadler: March 26, 20 15 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be includl.!d in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to uur broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications C0mmission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title ll of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the la!>t year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumer5 from all walks of life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop ne~ and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules arc grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title 11 of the Communications Act, combined with ection 706 of the Telecommunications Act I refer to this applicaLirm of Title 11 as ··modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions of Title II and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues lik.e rate regulation, Page 2- The Honorable Jerrold Nadler tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans. and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ~ Tom Wh~t!Ier FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFF I C E O F' THE C HAI RMAN The Honorable Rick Nolan U.S. House of Representatives 2447 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Nolan: March 26, 20 15 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platfom1 for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public 1nput received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulcmaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks or life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. l refer to th1s application ofTitle II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions ofTitle II and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2- Thc I !onorable Rick Nolan tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if T can be of any further assistance. Sincerely. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF T H E C H AIR M AN The Honorable Eleanor llolmes Norton U.S. House of Representatives 2136 Rayburn House Office Building Washington. D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Norton: March 26, 20 15 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. 1 appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26. 2015. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation. investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Based on the input of aJI these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritiLation. blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time. mobile connections will be subject t0 the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization. blocking, and throttling. that apply to fixed broaJband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules need to be grounded in strong authority, and these ruks are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act. combined with Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. 1 rder to this application of Title II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable condit;ons to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions of Title II and more than 700 F C rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like ra1e regulation, Page 2- The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. fhc FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both fixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me knov. if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, J:h Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON O FFICE OF THC CH ... I R M "N The llonorable Beto O'Rourke U.S. House of Representatives 1721 Longworth House Office Building Washington. D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman O'Rourke: March 26, 20 15 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views. and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26. 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission. industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Bnsed on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and no' el threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the Hpproach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-lim:: bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadbnnd services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholder~, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. trong lllles need to be grounded in strong authority, and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommumcations Act. I tefcr to this application of Title II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to these modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions of Title 11 and more than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearance is targeted to avoid major issues like rate rt:gulation, Page 2- The llonorable Beto O'Rourke tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both tixed and mobile connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and arc poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and innovators for years to come. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of an} further assistance. Sincerely.~~ e;;,eelcr FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CH ... IRMAN The I lonorable Charles B. Rangel U.S. House of Representatives 2354 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Rangel: March 26, 2015 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for strong Open Internet rules grounded in our authority under Title II of the Communications Act. You also expressed specific concern regarding the need for platform parity between fixed and mobile connections, owing the significant role mobile services play in providing Internet access across the digital divide. I appreciate hearing your views, and your letter will be included in the record. Over the past year, I have come to believe that there are three simple keys to our broadband future. Our broadband networks must be fast; our broadband networks must be fair; and our broadband networks must be open. On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve new rules designed to preserve the Internet as an open platform for innovation, investment, and free expression. Utilizing the combined authority of Ti tie II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, these rules are rooted in long-standing regulatory principles, marketplace experience, and public input received over the last year. This Order represents the most open rulemaking in history and is based on months of listening to the views of policymakers outside the Commission, industry and public interest representatives, and millions of American consumers from all walks of life. Based on the input of all these stakeholders, the FCC adopted the strongest possible open Internet protections. Specifically, we established bright-line rules banning paid prioritiLation, blocking, and throttling of legal content, along with a general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the Internet as they develop. Importantly, and consistent with the approach you support in your letter, these rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. For the first time, mobile connections will be subject to the same bright-line bans on paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, that apply to fixed broadband services. The approach we take in this Order provides clear rules of the road for all stakeholders, while ensuring there is also a referee in place to keep things fair in the future. Strong rules neeJ to be grounded in strong authority. and these rules are grounded in the strongest authority the FCC can utilize: a modernized application of Title II of the Communications Act, combined with Section 706 of the Telecommumcations Act. l refer to this application of Title II as "modernized" because we have used the forbearance authority granted to us by Congress to ensure that we are not applying unreasonable conditions to thes~: modern networks. In particular, the Order forbears from 27 provisions ofTitle li and mon.: than 700 FCC rules and regulations. This forbearan(;e is targeted to a\ oid major issues like rate regulation, Page 2- The Honorable Charles B. Rangel tariffing, and network unbundling, which would not be appropriate for the broadband Internet access industry, and is designed to preserve incentives for continued investment in broadband networks. The FCC's new rules, grounded in strong Title II authority and applied to both fixed and mobtle connections, carry the support of millions of Americans, and are poised to keep the Internet open and free for consumers and inno