US mayors unanimously back Net neutrality

• Formally adopt “principles of a free and open Internet”
• Call for transparency, non-discrimination and no content blocking

DALLAS, Texas — The U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously adopted a net neutrality resolution pushed by San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee and 16 others, calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enshrine principles of transparency and non-discrimination into future regulations on the Internet operations.

The resolution was adopted at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 82nd Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

“Net neutrality is critical for an innovation economy to thrive, because if the broadband companies could choose what web pages you can access, the Internet would lose its power as the most powerful communication tool we’ve ever known,” said Lee.

He thanked his cosponsors “for adopting principles of a Free & Open Internet” as the official policy of America’s Mayors. “There are serious implications for commerce and democracy, and we’re making sure U.S. cities have a voice in this fight,” Lee added.

“An open Internet is the backbone of a market-driven democracy in the 21st Century,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I applaud Mayors Edwin Lee, Paul Soglin, Michael Nutter, Eric Garcetti, Jonathan Rothschild, and Edward Murray for adopting a resolution to preserve a free and open Internet as outlined in the FCC’s original Open Internet Order.”

De Blasio added: “We simply cannot afford to allow large Internet Service Providers, which control large segments of the broadband market, like AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon to reserve the fastest loading speeds for those who can pay for it. I wholeheartedly support this resolution and thank my colleagues for their leadership on this critical issue.”

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh echoed Lee and De Blasio. “An uneven and restricted playing field for tech companies will mean fewer jobs, higher hurdles for newer companies, and less access to the internet for all. None of us want that. Our future depends on a neutral, world-class fiber network that serves all our residents and businesses. I am actively working with mayors across the country to do just that.”

The FCC is in the early stages of rulemaking as they work to enshrine the 2010 Open Internet Order into Federal regulation.

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