The Telecommunications Industry Association has applauded a recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission to classify wireline broadband Internet access services as "information services" under the Communications Act.
The decision was made on August 5.
"TIA has long supported the principle that all providers in the very competitive broadband services market should operate in the same minimally regulated environment," states TIA President Matthew Flanigan. "(The) historic decision to classify wireline broadband services as information services on the heels of the Supreme Court upholding the FCC's similar classification of cable modem services, will have an immediate, significant and lasting impact on investment and innovation in information and communications networks.
"With Brand X decided only in June, we thank the commission and the FCC staff for working tirelessly to produce this very important decision in such a remarkably short time," Flanigan continues. "TIA also commits to continue working with the commission as it crafts the new policy framework that will apply in a broadband world."
The TIA sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and the other commissioners on July 12 urging the agency to act within 90 days of the U.S. Supreme Court's June 27 Brand X decision on cable modem services to rule wireline broadband services also are information services not subject to Title II of the Communications Act.
The TIA is based in Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.