Broadband for America Presses Congress on Bipartisan Net Neutrality Legislation

Broadband for America, a group backed by ISPs, is lobbying Congress to advance bipartisan net neutrality legislation. “Small manufacturing companies play a major role in providing Internet access to millions of Americans while creating good jobs and driving economic growth,” reads the text at the outset of a video the group posted online last week. “Here is what they have to say about the Internet regulations.” The video shows interviews with different manufacturing industry figures and highlights the uncertainty they see associated with the new FCC net neutrality order. “Manufacturers proudly support an open Internet,” Broadband for America said. “Bipartisan leadership is needed to keep the Internet open.” The group also flags a petition website called United for an Open Internet. The URL was registered Feb. 5, the day FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated his net neutrality order within the FCC. “Please urge your representatives to pass bipartisan net neutrality legislation that protects consumers and doesn’t treat the Internet like a public utility,” the petition website said. “Enter your zip code below and click submit to be matched to your legislators and send them a letter asking them to support the net neutrality legislation that has been proposed.” It alluded to draft legislation that would codify net neutrality rules while limiting FCC authority, which GOP leaders of the Commerce committees circulated in January.