(KFSM) – Cox Communications, a provider of Internet, cable and phone services, released a statement on Thursday (Feb. 26) saying the company opposed the FCC’s recent vote on net neutrality.
On Thursday, the FCC voted to adopt net neutrality policies and regulate the Internet under Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, which currently applies to telephone service.
The ruling will enable the FCC to enact new rules that would prevent Internet service providers (ISPs) from manipulating how quickly or slowly sites are transmitted along their networks, a huge win for proponents of net neutrality.
The statement from Cox says that the company is “disappointed” in the decision by the FCC and calls the results of the vote an “unnecessary government overreach.”
The overreach “goes beyond net neutrality protections and is a risk to the Internet,” according to the statement.
“The adoption of Title II regulations leaves open the distinct possibility of new taxes and increased costs for consumers. The FCC decision is sure to be challenged in court, causing a great deal of uncertainty that will have an impact on future investments and innovation,” Cox said.
Cox also stated that the company supports the net neutrality principles of no blocking, nondiscrimination and transparency.
” We have abided by the original net neutrality rules even after they were overturned by the [Supreme] Court,” Cox said.
The statement concludes by calling for congressional action to deliver permanent net neutrality protections that can be supported by all Internet users.
