Senator Hassan Joins in Calling on FCC to Extend Net Neutrality Comment Period

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, joined 21 of her colleagues in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend the reply comment period for its proposal to undo the Open Internet Order and net neutrality protections.

In 2015, the FCC adopted the Open Internet Order, which reclassified broadband as a telecommunication service under Title II. The D.C. Circuit Court upheld the rules in 2016. The FCC’s Open Internet Order prohibits internet service providers from setting up internet fast and slow lanes, ensuring all online traffic is treated the same.

“This proceeding has the potential to impact all Americans and as the expert agency, you should ensure that the Commission provides ample time to ensure all voices are heard,” the senators wrote in the letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Full text of the letter can be found below and a copy of the letter can be found HERE.

August 3, 2017

Dear Chairman Pai:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received more than twelve million comments on your proposal to undo the strong net neutrality protections put in place by the Open Internet Order.  This volume of comments underscores the tremendous interest the public has in this proceeding.  Given the unprecedented number of comments, we urge the FCC to extend the reply comment period to allow sufficient time for the public to ensure their views are reflected in the record. 

The FCC currently plans to allow just 30 days for reply comments.  Yet in 2014, during the previous net neutrality proceeding, the FCC provided 60 days for Americans to reply.  The FCC should follow its own precedent and extend the reply comment period to ensure the fullest spectrum of comments fills the docket in this historic rulemaking.  

This proceeding has the potential to impact all Americans and as the expert agency, you should ensure that the Commission provides ample time to ensure all voices are heard. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 

Sincerely, 

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