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IBEW & CWA - Caution In The Quest For Net Neutrality

October 27, 2009

The IBEW and Communications Workers of America (CWA) have issued a joint statement urging the Federal Communications Commission to work cautiously as it develops new rules regarding Internet neutrality.

The FCC voted Oct. 22 to begin drafting regulations that would keep broadband providers from blocking or limiting consumer access to online content or applications.  The rules will guarantee Internet users can go to any website or use any service, even sites that compete with the broadband provider.

“The IBEW and CWA support the idea of an Internet open for everyone,” said IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill. “But we must make sure the regulations don’t cost telecommunications jobs at a time when they are needed most.”

 “The Commission undertakes this rulemaking at a time of 10 percent unemployment,” stated an IBEW and CWA-sponsored advertisement in Oct. 21 editions of The Washington Post.
The ad urged the FCC to “ensure that this rulemaking does not have an adverse impact on jobs and job creation.”

Both unions said they strongly support an open Internet, but cautioned new rules could lead to a slowdown in private capital investment in the next generation of wireless and wireline networks.

“It is crucial the Commission supports the right policy mix of incentives to sustain and enhance these investments that are so critical to America’s future,” the ad stated.

 

 

Photo used under a Creative Commons license from Flickr user Blakes Seven.