Verizon and MetroPCS Accuse FCC of Violating Free Speech
Nov 1, 2012, 12:54 PM by Eric M. Zeman
Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS are appealing a court decision regarding the Federal Communications Commission's mobile broadband regulations, which went into effect in December 2011. Verizon and MetroPCS argue that the FCC has overstepped its mandate with legislation that prevents network operators from managing certain types of network traffic. Verizon and MetroPCS make four main arguments. First, the Telecommunications Act "expressly forbids the FCC from applying common-carrier regulation to broadband Internet access, but the rules do just that." Second, the FCC lacks statutory authority to implement any such rules. Third, the rules are unconstitutional and violate the First Amendment. Verizon and MetroPCS argue, "Broadband networks are the modern-day microphone by which their owners engage in First Amendment speech." Last, Verizon and MetroPCS maintain that the rules are "arbitrary and capricious." The rules were put into effect last year to prevent network operators from selectively controlling apps, services, and other functions that require mobile and wired broadband connections.
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Comments
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Are these companies 'natural people'? | algorithmplus |
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| Other way around... | johnhr2 |
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