MAYOR WALSH JOINS 50 MAYORS TO ADVOCATE FOR NET NEUTRALITY ON DAY OF ACTION

MAYOR WALSH JOINS 50 MAYORS TO ADVOCATE FOR NET NEUTRALITY ON DAY OF ACTION

Mayor Walsh to submit joint letter to the FCC to call for the continuation of net neutrality

BOSTON - Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - Building on Boston's commitment to fostering an equitable, accessible environment for all residents and businesses, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today a signed letter with 50 cities urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to maintain the current rules protecting the free and open internet. By prohibiting blocking, prioritization and other discriminatory practices, current FCC rules enforce openness, equity and nondiscrimination, and enable the internet to thrive as a platform for the innovation that drives the future American economy. "A free, open internet is vital to residents and businesses throughout Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "Net neutrality is one tool we have to create an equal playing field for all, and I stand with mayors throughout the U.S. to support an open internet." The letter, addressed to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, reinforces the nondiscrimination principles first called for in a 2014 U.S. Conference of Mayors resolution: Commitment to transparency; The free flow of information over the internet; No blocking of lawful websites; No unreasonable discrimination of lawful network traffic; and No paid prioritization. "Boston has worked hard to ensure our residents and businesses have choice in the broadband marketplace -- five broadband companies offer service in Boston, and just last year, Verizon announced that they will begin offering Fios service in Boston," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston. "Broadband customers should be able to choose what content to access without their Internet Service Provider acting as a gatekeeper or toll taker.  An open Internet puts consumers in the driver's seat, where all websites, apps, and online services compete on a level playing field." The FCC's 2015 Order Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet under then-Chair Tom Wheeler reclassified internet service as a telecommunication service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. The move came after a legal and regulatory process during which nearly four million people submitted comments, mostly in favor of strong open internet protections under Title II. This order established the net neutrality protections that exists today. A copy of the letter is enclosed below. ### Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St SW Washington, DC 20554 July 12, 2017 Dear Chairman Pai: Our nation's residents benefit immensely from an open internet, which drives innovation and economic growth across every segment of American society.  "Net neutrality" rules recognize the importance of maintaining a level playing field for all internet content - regardless of the creator or owner - to be enjoyed by all users, regardless of their internet provider.  For this reason, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has consistently advocated for strong federal actions on this issue across two federal administrations.   This message has been consistent and simple.  Be it through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or through legislative action, the U.S. Conference of Mayors first called in 2014 for nationwide internet protections that enforce the following nondiscrimination principles: Commitment to transparency; The free flow of information over the internet; No blocking of lawful websites; No unreasonable discrimination of lawful network traffic; and No paid prioritization. In 2015, the FCC enshrined these same principles of free and open internet service into law, through the reclassification of internet service under Title II of the Communications Act. On May 18th, the FCC voted to consider full repeal of Title II and net neutrality rules.  The FCC's proposal poses a significant risk of stifling American innovation and harming local economies across the country.    Net neutrality is a pocket book issue for American households.  Full repeal would have a particularly negative impact on middle and working class families, while simultaneously restricting access to certain types of online content and services to those who cannot afford to pay more. When internet providers restrict access to certain types of content and services and charge residents for the luxury of accessing information and services online, we are all less free to participate in the modern economy.  For these and many other reasons, repealing these crucial protections will prove disruptive for our residents, our families, our small businesses, and countless others including nonprofits, schools, and libraries. Additionally, technology startups depend on net neutrality to gain fair and competitive access to customers. A repeal of net neutrality rules could see innovative solutions from these startups relegated to the background as entrenched internet providers steer consumers to established solutions that can afford to pay for privileged status. Our cities depend on a thriving startup community to drive innovation and our continued economic growth. The FCC must maintain and enforce the 2015 Open Internet Order, to ensure the principles of openness, freedom, and innovation continue to drive the American economy into the twenty-first century. Sincerely, Edwin M. Lee, Mayor, City and County of San Francisco Bill de Blasio, Mayor, City of New York, New York Martin J. Walsh, Mayor, City of Boston, Massachusetts           Muriel Bowser, Mayor, District of Columbia      Ed Murray, Mayor, City of Seattle, Washington Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of Chicago, Illinois   Allison Silberberg, Mayor, City of Alexandria, Virginia   Dana Kirkham, Mayor, City of Ammon, Idaho   Ben Kessler, Mayor, City of Bexley, Ohio            Melvin Kleckner, Town Administrator, Town of Brookline, Massachusetts          Deborah Frank Feinen, Mayor, City of Champaign, Illinois          Andy Berke, Mayor, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee   Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor, City of Chula Vista, California            Kim McMillan, Mayor, City of Clarksville, Tennessee     John Woods, Mayor, Town of Davidson, North Carolina Lucy Vinis, Mayor, City of Eugene, Oregon        Lioneld Jordan, Mayor, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas   William McLeod, Mayor, Village of Hoffman Estates, Illinois       Archibald L. Gillies, Chairman, Islesboro Board of Selectmen, Town of Islesboro, Maine Peter D'Errico, Chair of Select Board, Town of Leverett, Massachusetts Chris Beutler, Mayor, City of Lincoln, Nebraska Edward J. Kennedy, City of Lowell, Massachusetts        Paul Soglin, Mayor, City of Madison, Wisconsin Alex Morcos, Mayor, City of Medina, California Betsy Hodges, Mayor, City of Minneapolis, Minnesota   Hans Riemer, Council Vice President, Montgomery County, Maryland Jennifer Gregerson, Mayor, City of Mukilteo, Washington         Megan Barry, Mayor, Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County           Jon Mitchell, Mayor, City of New Bedford, Massachusetts         David J. Narkewicz, Mayor, City of Northampton, Massachusetts           Libby Schaaf, Mayor, City of Oakland, California Greg Stanton, Mayor, City of Phoenix, Arizona   Ted Wheeler, Mayor, City of Portland, Oregon   Tom Butt, Mayor, City of Richmond, California Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, City of San Antonio, Texas         Sam Liccardo, Mayor, City of San Jose, California and Member, Federal Communications Commission Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee       Pauline Russo Cutter, Mayor, City of San Leandro, California     Zach Friend, Vice Chair, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Santa Cruz County, California   Ted Winterer, Mayor, City of Santa Monica, California Joanne Dittes Yepsen, Mayor, City of Saratoga Springs, New York          Gary R. McCarthy, Mayor, City of Schenectady, New York          Patricia Smith, Mayor, City of South Portland, Maine    Christine Lundberg, Mayor, City of Springfield, Oregon Stephanie Miner, Mayor, City of Syracuse, New York   Marilyn Strickland, Mayor, City of Tacoma, Washington Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor, City of Urbana, Illinois        William D. Sessoms, Mayor, City of Virginia Beach, Virginia         John Heilman, Mayor, City of West Hollywood, California           Joe Dominick, Mayor, City of Westminster, Maryland Gary Resnick, Mayor, City of Wilton Manors, Florida