Broadband Regulation Resolution Exposed

A Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Broadband Information Services in Innovative and Expanding Competitive Markets was adopted by ALEC's Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force at the ALEC Annual Meeting on August 6, 2010, approved by the ALEC Board of Directors August 10, 2010. According to ALEC.org, the Resolution was updated at the 2014 Annual Meeting. Language removed from the original Resolution is indicated with strikethrough text, language added in bold. (Accessed on 3/16/2016).

ALEC Resolution Text

WHEREAS, it is the mission of the American Legislative Exchange Council to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty, and

WHEREAS,, broadband information services sector is critical to growing the nation’s economy, enhancing quality of life through new and innovative applications, and enabling greater job creation, and

WHEREAS, the rise of private investment in broadband technologies has dramatically transformed the way consumers work, live, learn, and conduct their daily lives, and

WHEREAS, ALEC believes that innovation, private investment, and market competition, not additional regulations, should drive the continued deployment and adoption of broadband information services, and

WHEREAS, the FCC has moved forward is considering with a plan that would could impose its authority on the Internet and regulate the provision of broadband information services, and Title II authority over legacy telephone networks on the Internet and regulate the provision of broadband Internet access services as common carrier services, and

WHEREAS, today’s deregulatory framework helps support nearly 11 million jobs annually in the U.S. and has unleashed over $1.2 trillion dollars of investment in advanced wire line and wireless broadband networks, as well as an entirely new apps economy;

WHEREAS, treating broadband Internet access services as Title II “telecommunications services” would substantially inhibit incentives for continued broadband investment and innovation and permit government micromanagement of all aspects of the Internet economy; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ALEC voices its support of lawmakers and regulators avoiding the unnecessary, burdensome and economically harmful regulation of broadband Internet service companies, including the providers of the infrastructure that supports and enables Internet services, and further

BE IT RESOLVED, that ALEC urges that the FCC, Congress and state regulatory and legislative bodies refocus their efforts on specific and limited initiatives targeted at ensuring that broadband service is made universally available and affordable to consumers enabling broadband providers whose objective is to expand broadband access to unserved households and businesses, rejecting overly prescriptive regulations that would harm innovation, investment, and job growth, and further

BE IT RESOLVED, that ALEC’s opposition to the sweeping redefinition reclassification of broadband services be communicated to all ALEC members, and further

BE IT RESOLVED, that ALEC shall convey its support to the members of the United States Congress and Executive Branch.

Adopted by ALEC’s Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force at the ALEC Annual Meeting on August 6, 2010. Approved by ALEC Board of Directors, August 10, 2010.