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US-based ISPs say scrapping of 'Net Neutrality' 'no big deal'

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ANI Washington

The Internet Service Providers in the US have reportedly said that the recent decision of the Federal Appeals Court striking down FCC ruling for net neutrality is not a big deal and won't harm consumers' online experience.

While some public policy experts and consumer advocates slammed the decision, saying it would lead to the destruction of the free and open Internet, companies like Comcast and Verizon have argued the opposite.

According to Fox News, Comcast executive vice president David Cohen said that his company has consistently supported the Commission's Open Internet Order and agreed to abide by the rules for seven years, adding that they will not block their customers' ability to access lawful Internet content, application or services.

 

Cohen said that company would work with Chairman Wheeler and the Commission to find an appropriate regulatory balance that will continue to allow the Internet to flourish.

Time Warner Cable also issued a similar statement saying that Federal Court's decision would not change consumers' ability to access and use the Internet as they did now and the decision would allow more room for innovation and consumers would have more choices to determine for themselves how they access and experience the Internet.

AT and T's senior executive vice president of external and legislative affairs Jim Cicconi, as posted said that the company has worked constructively to help craft the FCC's net neutrality rule, and testified in support of it in the Congress.

He further assured that all of their customers and stakeholders that their commitment to protect and maintain an open Internet will not change.

The FCC ruling was meant to prevent an Internet service provider from prioritizing some website traffic over others, but the court's decision could soon make people shell out those extra bucks for getting access to particular sites.

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First Published: Jan 16 2014 | 12:28 PM IST

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