Net Neutrality Backers Ask FCC to Stick to Its Guns

Two dozen Internet companies on Monday called on FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to continue supporting rules codifying net neutrality.

The FCC at its Oct. 22 meeting is expected to release a notice of proposed rulemaking on open Internet access; the suggested regulations then would go up for comment. In advance of that meeting, the 24 members of the Open Internet Coalition reiterated their backing for net neutrality in an Oct. 19 letter.

The letter also appears to be a reaction to other input sent to the FCC last week by 72 House Democrats. Those policymakers said they’re concerned that net neutrality rules will inhibit broadband investment, especially as the federal government pumps $7.2 billion into broadband through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

Notable signatories on Monday’s missive to the FCC include Google Inc., Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Mozilla and three CLECs – Cbeyond Inc., One Communications and XO Communications.