NET NEUTRALITY: “AT&T, a leading opponent of the federal government’s 2015 net neutrality rules, said it would join an online protest this week in favor of keeping the rules.
In recognition of the ‘Day of Action’ on July 12, the company said it would display on its website banners in favor of maintaining a ‘free and open’ Internet. But the company said it still opposes the 2015 net neutrality rules, which prevent Internet service providers from blocking, slowing or otherwise discriminating against online content.
‘This may seem like an anomaly to many people who might question why AT&T is joining with those who have differing viewpoints on how to ensure an open and free internet,’ AT&T’s top lobbyist, Bob Quinn, said in a blog post on Tuesday [7-11-17] . ‘But that’s exactly the point – we all agree that an open internet is critical for ensuring freedom of expression and a free flow of ideas and commerce in the United States and around the world.’
The confusing stance comes as the Federal Communications Commission under new chairman Ajit Pai, a former Verizon lawyer appointed by President Trump to head the agency, is working to roll back the rules. Many Internet companies, including Facebook, Google, and Netflix, are banding together this week to try to generate a wave of public support to protect the rules from Pai’s repeal efforts.”
-Aaron Pressman, “AT&T Joins Protest In Favor of Net Neutrality Rules It Hates,” Fortune, July 11, 2017 01:47pm