The Federal Communications Commission received so many comments on net neutrality Tuesday that its site crashed, making it necessary to extend the public comment period until midnight on Friday.
Open Internet advocates were not surprised that the FCC’s controversial proposal, which would allow Internet service providers to create so-called “fast lanes” for companies that can afford the extra fees, garnered so much feedback. And grassroots organizations believe the unprecedented public response—more than 780,000 comments filed as of Tuesday afternoon—bolsters their cause.
“In close to a decade of fighting for the open Internet, I’ve never seen more awareness and enthusiasm about this issue,” said Free Press president and CEO Craig Aaron in a statement. “Millions of Internet users have flooded the agency with support for real net neutrality. And almost no one outside FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s office is advocating for his pay-to-play proposal.”
“Wheeler claims he supports the open Internet, but the rules he’s proposing would allow rampant discrimination and fast lanes for the fortunate few. That’s totally unacceptable, and it’s why so many everyday Internet users are so upset. The best and only path forward for Wheeler is to reclassify Internet providers as common carriers,” Aaron stated.
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