NCTA's Powell Criticizes Obama Over Title II Net Neutrality Comments

NCTA President Michael Powell criticized President Barack Obama for speaking last week in favor of Communications Act Title II reclassification as part of the FCC net neutrality NPRM (see 1411100035). Powell said during a joint NARUC/NASUCA event in San Francisco that he was “stunned” by Obama’s comments, calling it an unprecedented example of “interfering” with FCC independence. Powell said that Obama’s remarks are likely to prolong industry uncertainty and have put the FCC in an “impossible situation.” Other industry observers have called Obama's remarks a reset of FCC work on the NPRM (see 1411140043) Powell has been a vocal critic of Title II reclassification, saying Monday that he believes it’s unnecessary to reclassify broadband as a common carrier given that it’s the “heaviest” form of telecom regulation.