On June 11, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to stay certain aspects of the FCC's February Open Internet Order. Those organizations seeking a stay included trade associations USTelecom, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the American Cable Association, CTIA and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, as well as broadband providers AT&T Inc. and CenturyLink Inc. 

COMPTEL CEO Chip Pickering said that the court's decision "sends a message of full steam ahead for consumers, start-ups and new network builders.The court's decision reaffirms the Federal Communications Commission and Chairman Tom Wheeler's light-touch approach to deliver the strongest possible protections. We are already seeing the results in the marketplace, as interconnection agreements move forward, helping to deliver more content at a faster rate."

He added that the "stay request was simply a delay tactic by Internet gatekeepers that seek to control, block and assign new fees for Internet access. While we remain vigilant in the fight against future threats to open Internet protections, we are encouraged by today's court decision, and stand ready to oppose those seeking to pull up the tracks on Internet access, innovation and exploration."

The Open Internet rules went into effect on Friday, June 12. On the same day, Pickering published a blog that examined this "New Era of Internet Freedom." 

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, which has jurisdiction over the FCC, began consideration of its fiscal year 2016 financial services bill.

The bill contains $315 million for the FCC - a cut of $25 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $73 million below the request. The legislation prohibits the FCC from implementing net neutrality until certain court cases are resolved, requires newly proposed regulations to be made publicly available for 21 days before the Commission votes on them, and prohibits the FCC from regulating rates for either wireline or wireless Internet service.

Specifically the bill includes two fund-limiting provisions related to the FCC's Open Internet Order. The first prohibits the use of funds to regulate rates or fees that providers of broadband Internet access services may charge or impose. The second provision prohibits the use of funds to implement or enforce the Open Internet Order until the first date on which there is final disposition of the pending civil actions filed in opposition to the order.

The Senate also is drafting a bill to reauthorize the FCC for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will host its Summer Committee Meetings July 12-15 at the New York Marriott Marquis. COMPTEL is planning to host a Competitors' Reception at New York Marriott Marquis on Saturday, July 11. Please note that the Competitors' Reception is not sponsored by NARUC nor is it a part of the Annual Meeting agenda.

If your company would like to sponsor, or you have questions, please email Karen Reidy or call 202-296-6650.

All COMPTEL Committee meetings are held at the association's headquarters, 1200 G St NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, unless otherwise noted.  All times listed are Eastern. For more information, call 202-296-6650.

June 23           Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 

2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy