AARP Says Title II Order's Benefits Far Exceed Costs, Disputes ISP Investment Arguments
AARP said benefits of the 2015 FCC net neutrality order far outweigh "de minimis," costs. The group said a May NPRM proposing to roll back broadband regulation under Communications Act Title II pointed to the costs of alleged harms to…
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broadband ISP investments as a primary factor. The "broadband ISPs and their supporters do not deliver any convincing evidence that broadband investment has been harmed in any way by the 2015 Title II Order," AARP replied Wednesday to initial comments (see 1707180009), the original deadline before it was extended to Aug. 30. Noting a June NCTA post, AARP cited surging U.S. data speeds, "innovation and aggressive" broadband deployment, which required investment; yet NCTA tells the FCC "a completely different story" about Title II's "chilling effects." Leaving aside that ISPs focus exclusively on broadband and ignore edge fallout, AARP finds "ISP 'harmed investment stories' are based on weak theoretical expositions and deeply flawed empirical studies." But rule benefits are clearly "substantial and growing," said the group, lauding comments in docket 17-108 from internet engineers, pioneers and technologists, including Vint Cerf. Among others filing recent replies supporting less regulation were Citizens Against Government Waste, a coalition of 83 groups and individuals, and German University of Passau professor Jan Kraemer; while the Software & Information Industry Association, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Washington State Access to Justice Board, Metropolitan Libraries of Ohio and three academics generally supported the 2015 order.