CenturyLink is the latest company to file lawsuit charges against the FCC on the issue of net neutrality. Filed in the Washington DC Court of Appeals, CenturyLink now joins the long queue of net neutrality -focused lawsuits filed by companies such as Alamo Broadband, ACA, AT&T, NCTA, CTIA and USTelecom.
CenturyLink challenges the FCC's net neutrality order which the commission passed in February and echoes similar sentiments given by the USTelecom when it describes the new order as "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretions and a violation of federal law."
According to the statement released by CenturyLink, FCC's decision to control and subjugate the Internet is a mistake and even anachronous in nature. The company stressed its stand on maintaining an open Internet network and had even invested hundreds of millions of dollars in order to build an infrastructure to support its claim. They believe in the significance of an open Internet network since it parallels the fundamental principle involved in the campaign that says "Internet is for all."
CenturyLink said that there is no need for the FCC to implement Title II of the Communications Act since the commission could still achieve its goal of preventing Internet service providers from blocking or degrading lawful content. The commission's net neutrality rules are aimed at reclassifying ISPs under the mentioned Title II.
"CenturyLink invests hundreds of millions of dollars a year to build, maintain and update an open Internet network and does not block or degrade lawful content," said CenturyLink in a statement. "However, the FCC has chosen to subjugate the Internet to government-controlled public utility regulations from the 1930s."
In a previous report at Tech Times, the Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 served as the FCC's basis on its Internet access regulation rules. It plans to use what it describes as "light-touch" regulation of the Internet which they believe would increase competition among carriers.
"This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates," said Claude Aiken, deputy chief of the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau's Competition Policy Division.
CenturyLink fears that the net neutrality guidelines issued by the FCC will result to an end in innovation.
"These regulations not only have no place in the 21st century economy, but will chill innovation and investment," said CenturyLink. "We are challenging the FCC's misguided net neutrality order for these reasons and because we believe it could lead to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers."
