Verizon Appeals Net Neutrality Rules

Verizon Communications on Thursday challenged the Federal Communications Commissions Net neutrality” rules in a federal appeals court, marking the latest rebuke of an order that the agency crafted to prevent Americas largest broadband providers from discriminating against rival services on their vast networks.

Verizon filed the appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

We are deeply concerned by the FCCs assertion of broad authority for sweeping new regulation of broadband networks and the Internet itself,” said Michael E. Glover, Verizons senior vice president and deputy general counsel, in a statement. We believe this assertion of authority goes well beyond any authority provided by Congress, and creates uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers.”

Verizons appeal reflects the latest attack on the FCC in Washington, D.C. 

Earlier this month, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced a bill that would strip the FCC of authority to regulate the Internet. According to her press office, more than 60 of her colleagues supported The Internet Freedom Act, including the majority of Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill states that Internet regulation is Congress sole prerogative.

In a speech on Tuesday, Blackburn made it clear that Congress is poised to challenge the FCCs rules. 

The FCC thought they were pushing into a regulatory vacuum last month when they unveiled their Net neutrality rules,” she said. They may find soon that they stumbled into a Congressional hurricane.”

In December, the FCC voted 3-2 to prohibit the likes of broadband service providers such as Verizon and Comcast Corp. from blocking lawful content or discriminating against applications or services. The rules also require broadband carriers to make certain public disclosures regarding their network management practices, performance and commercial terms.