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Tom Wheeler Defends Title II Rules, Accuses Pai of Helping Monopolists (arstechnica.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the smokescreen dept.

simkel shares a report from Ars Technica: Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler spoke out against the FCC's proposed repeal of net neutrality rules this week, saying the repeal will help monopoly broadband providers abuse their dominant position. There's "a monopoly provider for three-quarters of the homes in America, and no choice," Wheeler said in a forum (video) in Arlington, Virginia Monday hosted by US Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.). "When you've only got one provider, who makes the rules? The provider makes the rules." Wheeler was referring to FCC data that shows most Americans live in areas with either one provider of high-speed broadband (at least 25Mbps downstream and 3Mbps upstream) or none at all. With the FCC's new Republican leadership seeking to overturn net neutrality rules, "the question becomes, will giant companies be able to exploit their monopoly position?" Wheeler said. "Who is going to stand up for consumers? Who is going to stand up for innovation? And who is going to stand up for the most important network for determining our future in the 21st century?"

5 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. But... FREE ENTERPRISE by r2rknot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It will save us. For some reasons someone will find tons of money in rolling out infrastructure to fight those established companies and provide us with competition!

    (sarc)W/e we do, we cannot allow the government to create this public infrastructure, its not their place(/sarc)

    --
    "...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive...it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it..."
    1. Re:But... FREE ENTERPRISE by alvinrod · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's hard to have a free market, when in most jurisdictions the local government sells monopoly rights for service to a single cable provider. I'd agree with removing net neutrality restrictions if there is no ability for local governments to restrict access to the market. Government granted monopolies (e.g. utilities) have always faced regulation, and the cable companies expecting to have their cake and eat it too is silly.

    2. Re:But... FREE ENTERPRISE by Aighearach · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you read Adam Smith, he explains it; a free market can't exist naturally. They come about when government regulates an industry to enforce trust and ensure that new market entrants have a level playing field. When government continually and disinterestedly prevents entrenched interests from interfering with competitors and newcomers, then a Free Market can arise.

      There are lots of them, the language has just been heavily attacked and obfuscated by the fuedalists, so people don't realize it and would identify the wrong things if they tried.

  2. Monopoly Issues are why this matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wheeler has it right it is the Monopoly Stupid. All monopolistic industries need to be regulated to prevent monopoly abuses. That is an actual free market fact.

  3. Why would he stand up for consumers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The whole basis of democratic government is, the *people* choose the leadership, so the leaders act in the majority interests of the *people*.

    It all falls apart when the President isn't the one the people voted for. Why exactly would his people do anything for the majority of Americans?

    You've got Chairman Pai increasing profits for Verizon, his former company (and probably his future employer too). Ka-chink!

    You've got Scott Pruit refusing to ban Chlorpyrifos, (a proven brain poision for unborn children in rural areas). Helping Dow Chemicals, who in turn funded Trump both politically, and privately via golf tournaments and corporate events at Trump properties. I guess I can imagine where Scotts next paycheck will come from. Ka-chink!

    Healthcare? Tax cuts for health company profits funded by increased levies... 45k more people expected to die each year from the lack of coverage... like a 911 every month, every year. Ka-chink!

    Even the NRA now joining in. With a 'Get a gun to defend Trump' advertising message, $3 million donation to him, and in return his promise that "the assault on guns is over". They get a cut of gun sales. Ka-chink!

    Can't wait to see what treat he's got as reward for Putin. Let me guess, the "information co-sharing to fight 'ISIS" plan? The one where Putin gets access to US intelligence under excuse of fighting terrorism? He certainly floated the boat on that plan with his test leak.

    The reason for this mess is because the squatter in the Whitehouse was chosen by more Russians than Americans. None of them feel the need to do their job for the benefit of Americans.