Top minority chambers unite in asking FCC to clarify position on Internet regulation and national broadband plan
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Black Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosted a teleconference this week to discuss the joint letter they submitted to the FCC’s NPRM on net neutrality. The letter, also signed by the U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce, disagreed with the FCC’s assertion that codifying Internet openness principles will assist in the expansion of broadband networks.
During the teleconference the Chambers congratulated the FCC for
maintaining such an open and transparent process throughout the
National Broadband Plan and the NPRM on net neutrality but stressed
the point that the FCC needs to focus its attention on broadband
expansion and adoption and not regulations that attempt to fix
hypothetical problems.
“Together the minority chambers present at this press conference
represent nearly 10 million minority-owned businesses and we have not
experienced the discrimination on the Internet that the FCC states as
the reason for creating net neutrality regulations,” said Harry
Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. “We
caution that in its attempt to impose new government mandates the FCC
may inadvertently deter consumer choice, limit broadband innovation,
or halt Internet innovation.”
“We believe that appropriate incentives, not regulations, are needed
to stimulate private investment for the expansion of broadband
networks,” added Javier Palomarez, president of the U.S. Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce. “That is the best way to ensure that broadband
technology continues to reach and benefit the Hispanic community, and
other communities in the U.S.”
