WASHINGTON – ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, released the following statement from President and CEO Dean Garfield after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai discussed his plans on net neutrality and broadband classification:

“We are interested in principles that deepen trust and affirm the internet as a platform for all Americans and people around the world, and that drive nearly a trillion dollars of growth into our economy each year,” Garfield said. “There is bipartisan agreement that open internet principles, which evolved from former Chairman Michael Powell’s ‘internet freedoms,’ should be protected. We believe the best way to do so would be through legislative action. Until that can happen, we look forward to further reviewing the details of Chairman Pai’s plan. ITI will work with the chairman and his colleagues to protect open internet principles as well as the incentive to innovate and invest by all stakeholders in the internet ecosystem."

When the FCC last considered adopting net neutrality rules in 2014, ITI urged commissioners to adopt rules that protected the consumer and ensured there is a strong no-blocking principle, increased transparency for consumers and an open internet; promoted better, stronger, faster internet access; and that did not squelch innovation.

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