ISP Lobbyists Pushing Telecom Act Rewrite Telecom lobbyists are pushing hard for a rewrite of the Telecom Act, this time with a notable eye on cutting FCC funding and overall authority. AT&T donated at least $70,000 to back Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, and clearly expects him to spearhead the rewrite and make it a priority in 2017. The push is an industry backlash to a number of consumer friendly initiatives at the FCC, including new net neutrality rules, the reclassification of ISPs under Title II, new broadband privacy rules, new cable box reform and an attempt to protect municipal broadband.

AT&T's Ryan donation is the largest amount AT&T has ever donated to a single candidate, though outgoing top AT&T lobbyist Jim Cicconi has also thrown his support behind Hillary Clinton How easy the rewrite is depends obviously on who wins the upcoming Presidential election, though neither candidate has what you'd call a stellar record when it comes to standing up to industry, or having a comprehensive understanding of technology. Hillary Clinton has stated she will at least work to support net neutrality, while Donald Trump has come out opposed to the concept. Meanwhile, the House has been working tirelessly to defund and defang the FCC via a series of budget rider amendments. When it hasn't been busy doing that, it has held what seems like an endless number of taxpayer-funded "accountability" hearings designed to shame the FCC for standing up to companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast over the last few years. One wild card in this equation is whether or not current FCC boss Tom Wheeler remains on board after the election. Tradition dictates he step down, but he has One wild card in this equation is whether or not current FCC boss Tom Wheeler remains on board after the election. Tradition dictates he step down, but he has hinted a few times that he'd like to remain on board and finish many of the consumer-friendly initiatives he has started.







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Most recommended from 60 comments



karpodiem

Hail to The Victors

Premium Member

join:2008-05-20

Troy, MI 33 recommendations karpodiem Premium Member Sick of this When I see stuff like this, I get angry. What is wrong with these people, and this country? It's beyond toxic at this point.



We need to flush this toilet. TheMasterFab

join:2016-02-17 8 recommendations TheMasterFab Member Paul Ryan? Again? Paul Ryan is a human stool sample. He's a career politician, a toadie, and a putrid shill. He'll do anything for anybody if the price is right (that is, if it can advance his political career). He's a disgrace and embodies virtually everything that is wrong with the Republican party, and more generally, our political establishment. May he die and be reborn in the womb of a jackal.

neofate

Caveat Depascor

Premium Member

join:2003-11-11

Birmingham, AL 7 recommendations neofate Premium Member These Companies are going to cause Wheeler to stick around. Man These companies are pure evil -- Can they not just take their insane billions and be happy?



The power of the FCC is minimal even with what has been done the past several years -- It's not REALLY causing these companies any major issues. However they are putting resources into undermining the entire FCC because they can't be happy with X hundred billion they want X hundred and one billion.



This just shows to everyone , in poor form, how much they are against the very people that keep them in business.. us!



We all know this,.. but enough already.



If they actually got their way on everything, and with this momentum , election, etc.. they very well may soon -- They are going to undermine the very thing that is making them most of their money. The internet, and many IP services.



The internet grew and continues to grow exponentially due to it's lack of major regulation and freedom from the small guy to larger fish.



With this crap they are going to stifle these things (and more) and the net will turn into a stagnant, ghost town eventually. Growth will slow, then halt,.. it can go the other way really quick with the wrong measures/lack of protection of freedom. Which hurts everyone -- including , obviously, their profits massively. If they continue down this road.. in 10 years+ the internet and IP services could look VERY different and be very unattractive in contrast to how it is now and is on 'track' to be.



Further, this is huge incentive for Wheeler to 'break precedent' and stay on board because he was the SAME thing, an 'evil' lobbyist who unexpectedly turned out to be an advocate for the everyday man/person. I can see him not wanting to let them get away with this (which he knows will happen when he's gone) type of crap 'un challenged' -- and stay around for as long as he is able.



These ISP's, MSO's, need to accept they will never bring the entertainment world back to the way it used to be (and way that is near death) -- Further that they stand to gain more by actually serving (half way at least) the wants/needs/desires of the actual customers/people who pay the monthly fees to them for their SERVICES -- instead of having a separate agenda that no one outside of these execs and some shareholders are in favor of. I don't even think they really understand the 'end game' path they are heading down should the new change in guard allow them basic free reign to do what they want.



The government needs a stronger role in regulating/advocating for consumers in the telecom space due to lack of competition, greed, blatant fraud, mishandling/theft of tax payers money and on the list goes. We need them, but they need us and us happy to increase revenue -- and to (in the long run) survive. Since when does a service industry model make sense to exclude and further be 'anti-customer' ? deathnight

join:2011-04-14

Winston Salem, NC 5 recommendations deathnight Member time to get these suckers out of office



All this stuff our "elected" officials do for us really reminds me of that movie with Eddy Murphy "Distinguished Gentleman" »

If you haven't seen it, watch it. Its pretty good. When I go to the polls, the way I do it is, if they are in office, I vote for the other person.All this stuff our "elected" officials do for us really reminds me of that movie with Eddy Murphy "Distinguished Gentleman" » www.imdb.com/title/tt0104114/ If you haven't seen it, watch it. Its pretty good. Joe Sixpack

join:2015-03-27 2 recommendations Joe Sixpack Member We're on the right track I can't believe wheeler was a lobbyist for the telecom industry.

In any case I really like where the FCC is headed, Even if that means they some times overstep their bounds I think.. I appreciate the sentiment.



If he gets replaced the FCC momentum might get chopped at the knees.

It's hard to say where either presidential candidate would fall on the issue of keeping him on.

Trump is pro business, But I think Hillary is still sore at Obama beating her in 08, so maybe she'll replace everyone he appointed out of spite lol.



I dunno, FCC aside I think we're screwed as a whole.