Reforwarding. Sorry for the repeat, I forgot to change the subject field
appropriately, last Email send.
The House and Energy Committee will have a hearing this Wednesday, regarding
H.J. Res 37, Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communication
Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry
practices.
I, Tom DeReggi, representing RapidDSL Wireless, have accepted the honor of
testifying before Congress at this hearing.
I'd like to note that this will be the second time a WISP will testfiy on this
topic within a 2 week period, strengthening the relevence of our WISP Industry.
In summary, if successful, and H.J. Res 37 is passed, it will reverse and
nullify FCC's recent NetNEutrality rules. This is our chance to kill the poor
NetNeutrality rules instantly in its tracks.
Quick background.
a.. On Monday, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Fred Upton
(MI-6) and Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee Greg
Walden (OR-2) announced that on Wednesday they would markup H.J. Res. 37 . For
those of you unfamiliar with the term markup, It means they would have limited
debate followed by a vote on the resolution and any amendments .
b.. On Tuesday, Representatives Waxman (CA-30) and Eshoo (CA-14) sent a
letter to the Chairs asking for them to hold a hearing on H.R. Res 37 before
markup (as is standard practice).
c.. On Wednesday (march 2nd), the Communications and Technology Subcommittee
announced that they would delay the markup, and hold a hearing on it at some
point in the future.
The future is this upcoming Wednesday the 9th!! Talkin about quick action!!
Now it is our chance to send FCC Chairman Genacowski (and commissioners) a
clear message. That we will NOT accept rule making that IGNORES the interests
of small business WISPs, and that we will go over their heads, if they ignore
us. So why, am I so much against NetNeutrality? MANY REASONS. But the most
obvious was that the FCC gave special consideration to mobile wirless carriers,
but lumped Fixed Wireless Providers in with Fiber and wireline providers with
out ANY consessions for our unique disadvantages industry. Giving reasonable
network mangement and usage billing was NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH to address
WISP's concerns. What the FCC really gave us was uncertainty, more
regulations, more technical distractions, and more liabilty, that surely would
lead to higher legal costs and customer support frustrations. NetNEutrality
empowered and entitled Content providers and Consumers to control our networks,
but left Access Providers to Foot the Bill. We were no longer free to etablish
our own business model, but instead forced to be an Advance Broadband Company
(Streaming Video), if we wanted to offer broadband without legal consequences.
We need to take our authority back as private business and network owners. We
actually have a really good chance to win Wednesday. Why, because the service
provider industry (ILECS, CLECs, CableCos, WISPs, MobileWireless) is almost
unaminously united in the fight against the FCC overstepping their bounds, and
the committee is now majoirty Republican, and isn't obligated to follow the
president's party. Verizon has already opened legal suit against the FCC as
well, and threatening to stop investment.
We need to convey several core messages, likely the top 3 most importance. That
NetNeutrality rules (as-is) will..
1. reduce or slow Investment in broadband build out.
2. slow bringing broadband to all Americans and underserved areas
3. cause loss of jobs or reduce jobs. (counter democrat's claim that
NetNEutrality will create jobs)
4. harm small business access providers, and stiffle innovation
5. harm our subscibers, or degrade service to our subscribers.
6. creates challenges in network management or operations, which rules are not
reasable to comply with. (over burdening).
7. are a distraction that take us away from our more important goal, to deploy
broadband
I'm still writing my presentation/testimony, so dont have it to share with
membership yet.
Right now the Republicans are on a rampage to help us. Lets show them our
support and that we are watching. (Please note I am NOT endorsing a specific
party and am not meaning to favor republicans or democrats. I am refering to
them only in the context of my observations of where I've read that the
majority in the party tend to stand currently on this specific topic/process)
I suggeset a plan of action for members.
To flood the House Committee members with support letters to PASS HJ RES 37.
I've attached a list of the committee members to contact. A higher priority may
be to convince democrat members.
I suggest sending these support letters Tuesday Morning.
Simply state, that you are a WISP, and that you SUPPORT HJ Res 37, and
encourage your representative to PASS the bill.to overturn the FCC's poor
NetNEutrality rule making.
