News - September 18, 2024

Engine, INCOMPAS File Joint Amici Curiae Brief on the FCC’s 2024 Safeguarding the Open Internet Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 18, 2024 – Engine Advocacy (“Engine”) and INCOMPAS (“The internet and competitive networks association”), two longstanding supporters of net neutrality principles and the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) work to adopt federal net neutrality rules, filed a joint “friend of the court” brief today detailing how the open Internet framework under the 2024 Safeguarding the Open Internet Order expands competitive online options that enable more investment and innovation for business and consumers of all kinds.

The Commission concluded in the Order that net neutrality rules remain necessary today to protect the openness of the Internet for consumers, small businesses, edge providers, and others. The brief states that, “Engine and INCOMPAS urge the court to uphold the FCC’s Order to ensure that consumers and small businesses are protected from and that competitive BIAS-only providers can exercise the protections that Title II affords in Sections 224 and 253 and the FCC’s accompanying rules.”

Engine has advocated for strong net neutrality protections repeatedly in the past and supports the Commission’s reinstatement of the protections found in the 2015 Open Internet order. The following can be attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine:

“The FCC’s net neutrality protections and oversight are necessary to ensure startups can continue reaching their users without needing to overcome Internet service providers blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. Startups are most at risk of being disadvantaged or blocked as they have limited resources to pay for preferential treatment. Affirming the open Internet rules will make certain that startups’ innovative products and services remain accessible to users.”

INCOMPAS has long supported the FCC’s federal framework for open internet rules in the United States so that consumers can access the lawful online content and services of their choice without interference from their BIAS provider. The following can be attributed to INCOMPAS President Angie Kronenberg: 

“Without FCC oversight and Title II protections, broadband-only providers have no federal rights to access poles, conduit, and rights-of-way to deploy digital infrastructure in a highly-concentrated market that is dominated by broadband monopolies. Consumers want net neutrality protections, and they want more competition. The court should affirm the FCC’s order which will enable and promote more broadband competition.

We also explain in our brief how broadband providers have used their monopoly positions to harm online competition through interconnection. Title II oversight of interconnection to ensure that consumers can access the online content of their choice is critical to protecting and enabling online competition.”