Vyve Broadband Expresses Disappointment with FCC’s Decision to Increase Regulation of Internet
A strong supporter of net neutrality, Vyve concerned that new rules will result in reduced broadband investment and innovation, higher costs for customers in rural areas
Vyve Broadband, which provides Internet, video and phone service to customers across nine states in the midwestern and southern United States, has announced its disagreement with the results of a decision made on Thursday by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reclassify broadband Internet as a public utility. This decision places broadband under stricter government oversight, making it subject to the FCC’s Title II regulation rules.
“Vyve Broadband is extremely disappointed with this decision, as are many other Internet service providers, technology companies and content creators across the United States,” said Jeffrey DeMond, chief executive officer for Vyve Broadband. “We believe that such action is completely unnecessary — and that it could negatively impact the type and amount of innovation that companies like Vyve are able to pursue. We also anticipate that it will adversely affect the quality, quantity and cost of Internet access and content that’s available to customers, especially those in rural communities.”
The FCC claims that Title II regulation is the only way to ensure net neutrality, the concept that Internet service providers and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, regardless of user, content, site or technological platform. Supporters of net neutrality — including Vyve — believe that no content should be blocked or slowed down, and that no content provider should be allowed to pay for faster speeds. Vyve is wholeheartedly in favor of establishing rules that would ensure net neutrality — but does not feel that heavyhanded Title II regulations are the best way to achieve this.
Vyve also sees unproductive, lengthy and expensive litigation as one of the most harmful effects of Title II regulation. “It’s very likely that this decision by the FCC is going to end up in court for years, which will generate a large amount of marketplace uncertainty as companies like Vyve wait for the courts to make a final decision. This will slow down the pace of broadband innovation — which has always been remarkably rapid in the United States — and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars as the government argues its case,” DeMond added. “Ultimately, this decision will be a losing scenario for Vyve, its customers and for the nation as a whole, which will risk losing its position as the world’s leader in broadband technology.”
Now that the FCC has decided to move forward with Title II regulation, Vyve is assessing its next steps.
“With this decision, Vyve will need to look carefully at the details to evaluate the potential impact on our business in the short term,” DeMond said. “And, regardless of the outcome of the Title II regulation debate, Vyve will continue to play a very important role in the future of the Internet. We remain committed to growing our business and providing our customers the best products and services possible under the evolving regulatory environment.”