Chattanooga’s biggest internet service providers today reaffirmed their commitment to an open Internet after the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal the net neutrality rules.
By a 3-2 vote, the FCC today reversed its 2005 decision and voted to overturn regulations that prohibited broadband providers from blocking websites or charging for higher-quality service or certain content.
David Wade, president of EPB which provides internet services to more than 94,000 Chattanooga households and businesses, said the city-owned utility will continue to uphold net neutrality standards.
“By deploying America’s first community-wide all-fiber optic network capable of delivering Gig Plus speeds to every home and business in our service area, EPB has the capacity to continue providing our customers with a world-class internet experience without the need to slow or prioritize any of the internet traffic across our network,” Wade said. “In the best interests of our customers and our community, EPB will uphold the Net Neutrality standard.”
But Comcast, the biggest internet service provider in the region and nationwide, welcomed the end of Title II regulations which company officials claim create a regulatory burden that hurts business.