DEPUTY REPUBLICAN WHIP

CoMMITTEE ON
WAYS & MEANS
CoMMITTEE ON
HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
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of
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September 29, 2014
PEORIA, ll 61602
(309) 671-7027
D 201 WEST MORGAN STREET
JACKSONVILLE, IL 62650
(217) 245-1431
D 235 SouTH 6TH STREET
SPRINGFIELD, ll 62701
(217) 670-1653
WWW.SCHOCK.HOUSE.GOV
Thank you for contacting me with regard to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
regulation of the internet. I appreciate having the benefit of your views and the opportunity to
respond.
On May 15, 2014, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking over the Open Internet
policy, commonly known as net neutrality. The FCC's net neutrality proposal would prohibit
broadband providers from knowingly slowing data. However, in a recognition that not all
Internet traffic is considered equal, the FCC proposal permits broadband providers to engage in
"commercially reasonable" traffic management, which allows them to charge content companies,
such as Netflix, more in exchange for a guaranteed fast lane of service. The FCC is also
considering if it should reclassify broadband as a telecommunication (Title II) service.
Since the start of its comment period, the FCC received a record 3.7 million comments from the
public. With the comment period now closed, the FCC plans to hold a series of roundtables that
will conclude on October 7, 2014. The FCC is expected to announce its final proposal by the end
of the year.
While I believe the goals ofnet neutrality are laudable, I worry about the unintended
consequences. Thi:; regulation would move the internet community from one based on free
market capabilities towarll au internet n.:gulaied by the government. The Umted States' hands-oft
approach to the Internet allowed the private sector to deploy broadband to 95% of U.S.
households over the last twenty years. In 2013, $13 billion were invested by the private sector
with an additional annual match of the same level for the foreseeable future. Additional
regulations could negatively impact further Internet development.
Hindering the industry is specifically troubling for the people of the 18th District of Illinois.
Regulations will only prove to slow investment in broadband infrastructure meant to increase
bandwidth and universal access to end users, leaving rural users and other disenfranchised
communities even further behind. Ultimately, consumers, rather than providers who need
bandwidth for their services, will end up bearing the brunt of future infrastructure costs.
Finally, I am concerned that the FCC may reclassify broadband as a telecommunication (Title II)
service. The FCC correctly rejected the Title II reclassification in 2010 and realized then that the
common carrier regulation is quickly becoming obsolete. Broadband telecommunications have
been extremely successful and are the foundation of the Internet as we know it.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future regarding
this, or any other issue. Also, to stay informed on what's happening in Washington, please feel
free to sign up for my electronic newsletter The Schock Report at www.schock.house.gov.
Respectfully,

Aaron Schock
Member of Congress
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