The High Tech Broadband Coalition (HTBC) weighed in on the FCC’s ...

Tues. was still trying to gain consensus on the item in order to complete action this week, possibly putting the item on the agenda at the Thurs. open meeting. The coalition, made up of high-tech associations, took a similar position when the wireline proceeding first was proposed 2 years ago. However, at that time, HTBC also proposed phasing in the new classification over a 2-year transition period, which wasn’t included in this year’s letter. HTBC said it has long advocated classifying broadband services as information services under Title I of the Communications Act. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld such classification for cable modem services, it makes sense for the Commission “to take the logical next step” and apply the same classification to DSL and other wireline broadband services, the HTBC letter said. The letter said the connectivity principles should include: (1) Consumers should receiving “meaningful” information about their broadband service plans. (2) They should have “access to their choice of legal Internet content” within bandwidth and service quality limits of their provider. (3) Consumers should be able to “run applications of their choice… as long as they do not harm the provider’s networks.” (4) Consumers should be able to “attach any devices they choose” if they don’t hurt the provider’s network or “enable theft of services.” As it has in the past, HTBC said it doesn’t think the FCC needs to take the next step and adopt regulations based on these principles unless there is evidence of widespread abuse. HTBC also urged the Commission to “clearly assert” that it has authority under Title I to address such abuse if necessary. HTBC’s members are the CEA, Information Technology Industry Council, Telecom Industry Assn., National Assn. of Mfrs., Semiconductor Industry Assn., Business Software Alliance.