During the House’s Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on H.J. Resolution 37, Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices, Mr. Thomas DeReggi, owner of a small wireless ISP in Maryland, DC, and Virginia gave testimony providing 11 convincing reasons why the government should not be pursuing overreaching regulation for the Internet.

DeReggi comments in his testimony that he started reselling DSL in 1996 and eventually moved into wireless some years later.  He states that his business has been competitive in the market stating that, “We’ve proven many case studies, including Urban, Rural, Served, Unserved, Business, and Residential models, competing against the toughest competitors.”

DeReggi provides 11 solid reasons why the FCC Internet takeover is a juxtaposition to the Internets future, job security, the health of the economy, and innovation.  If the rules are allowed to stand it will result in:

1. Fewer Jobs
2. Stifle Innovation
3. Reduce Investment
4. Cause Uncertainty in the Industry
5. Distract Wireless ISPs from Building Networks to all Americans
6. Increase Government Spending
7. Create Unnecessary Liability
8. Drastically Increase Legal Costs
9. Degrade Subscriber’s Performance
10. Increase Subscription Fees
11. Possibly Put some small ISPs and WISPs out of Business

The President of RapidDSL & Wireless went on to say that these items will be the side effects from the regulation and that they are in opposition of the goals of the National Broadband Plan.  This is a fundamental point that is often overlooked.  The question must be asked of government whether Open Internet regulation is more important or whether the National Broadband Plan is more important.  If they cannot work cohesively as a unit then the goals and decisions made to this point must be reconsidered.

DeReggi noted that, “It is my belief that the FCC overstepped their authority to address a problem that didn’t exist, at the detriment of our industry.”

[Cross-posted at Digital Society]