Media Contact: 
Michael Scurato, (202) 418-2083
michael.scurato@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

COMMISSIONER GEOFFREY STARKS STATEMENT ON NET NEUTRALITY DECISION
  -- 
WASHINGTON, October 1, 2019—Today, in Mozilla v. FCC, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision on FCC action to eliminate open internet rules.

The following statement can be attributed to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks:

“At its best, the internet is a democratizing, empowering force.  A truly free and open internet enables everyday people, regardless of their means or status, to elevate their ideas, access boundless information, and drive our economy to innovate without undue external influence.  This must be protected to the last inch.  

“Above all else, today’s decision breathes new life into the fight for an open internet.  It confirms that states can continue to step into the void left by this FCC.  To that end, it is a validation of those states that have already sought to protect consumers, and a challenge to those that haven’t yet acted to think hard about how to protect their citizens.  More pointedly, the decision affirms that the FCC ignored key aspects of its mission with regard to public safety and broadband deployment.  And the decision admonishes this Commission for its failure to consider the impact of its action in this context on Lifeline, a critical program that makes broadband more affordable for low-income consumers. 
“The power remains with the people.  Be loud.  I’m sure that people across the country who have been invested in this process will continue to demand action from state and federal legislators and will weigh in with the Commission when we consider the Court’s guidance in the near future.  I hear you, and know that I will be raising my voice with you.”  

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Office of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: (202) 418-2500
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @GeoffreyStarks
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/geoffrey-starks  

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. Cir. 1974).