Verizon-Tied Group Says Killing Net Neutrality Aids Puerto Rico A minority organization with funding ties to Verizon this week falsely claimed that killing net neutrality protections would somehow help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico remains in dire straights after the storm, with many still struggling to obtain clean drinking water, and most telecom services not expected to be meaningful restored until sometime next year. As such, the fight over net neutrality is likely the last thing on many Puerto Ricans' minds as they struggled to rebuild after the devastating hurricane.

The Intercept notes that the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce apparently thought it would be a good idea to use the Hurricane to push repeal of the popular consumer protections. “My organization’s interests -- especially those of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico who now need to be afforded every advantage and opportunity to grow more than ever before -- and our members’ mutual experience have made it clear that the best thing for America’s fragile economy will be for the FCC to continue its plan to repeal the unnecessary regulations,” Justin Vélez-Hagan, executive director and founder of the chamber, wrote in an opinion piece over at the Hill. Gutting popular consumer protections, Velez-Hagan wrote, would provide “incentive for businesses to invest in Puerto Rico (and others impacted by natural disasters) instead of relying solely on relief packages.” So one, as we've long noted, industry claims that net neutrality hampered investment are indisputably false, something easily proven by SEC filings, earnings reports, and public executive statements. The idea that killing net neutrality aids Puerto Rico in this moment of crisis is not only absurd, but insulting. Two, we've noted how one of the greasier lobbying tactics in telecom involves paying minority or diversity groups to parrot policies that actually undermine their constituents. Like when the cable industry paid Jesse Jackson to write an article insisting that efforts to improve cable box competition was akin to racism. Or the time AT&T paid the The Hispanic Institute to insist AT&T's attempted acquisition of T-Mobile -- which would have raised rates for everybody -- was a real boon to minority interests. These efforts are distasteful but effective, and because there doesn't appear to be any public repercussion for using them, they persist. In this instance, Vélez-Hagan wasn't willing to comment when asked by the Intercept whether Verizon funding helped inform his highly dubious claim that killing consumer protections magically help speed up disaster recovery. These efforts are distasteful but effective, and because there doesn't appear to be any public repercussion for using them, they persist. In this instance, Vélez-Hagan wasn't willing to comment when asked by the Intercept whether Verizon funding helped inform his highly dubious claim that killing consumer protections magically help speed up disaster recovery.







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Most recommended from 12 comments

hapster

join:2011-04-05

Shepherdsville, KY 16 recommendations hapster Member Just when you thought they couldn't stoop any lower ... ... they find a whole new subbasement. Kearnstd

Space Elf

Premium Member

join:2002-01-22

Mullica Hill, NJ 10 recommendations Kearnstd Premium Member I know what this group is shoveling....



DonoftheDead

Old diver

Premium Member

join:2004-07-12

Clinton, WA ·Comcast XFINITY

9 recommendations DonoftheDead Premium Member More of the SOS How much you want to bet the taxpayers pay for new infrastructure while the ISP's reap all the profits. ISP's will wait until the new grid is up at our expense then move in and take advantage of the people of PR. They'll restore the web to the most profitable areas and ignore the rest. They will buy off the politicians to out law locals setting up their own ISPs just like they always do. dylking

join:2001-07-31

Saint Paul, MN 7 recommendations dylking Member Aiding Puerto Rico How does Net Neutrality aid in delivering fresh food, water and supplies? I'd love to see that 'logic'.

cb14

join:2013-02-04

Miami Beach, FL ·Localphone

·Zadarma

·Verizon Wireless

·callwithus

·T-Mobile

·AT&T U-Verse

·Callcentric

7 recommendations cb14 Member Absolutely. Killing of net neutrality also combats climate change ( proven by independent non profit financed by donations from homeless)

Unfortunately, with the worst crew ever in the white house and a psychopath as president and the example they are giving, you can state any nonsense and it becomes true when you repeat it long enough and hard enough.