News

Internet service providers have not slowed investment into infrastructure and networks since the passage of Net Neutrality rules despite industry’s claims to the contrary, a Free Press study found.

A new report from consumer group Free Press pours cold water on the idea that Net Neutrality killed broadband-industry investment.

Widespread support for strong Net neutrality rules continues. But Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has made a point of trumpeting anti-Net Neutrality sentiment.

A Free Press report disputes the investment numbers cited by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, saying that its own analysis shows an increase in network investment spending since the 2015 Title II Net Neutrality order.

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Free Press released a comprehensive report examining internet-industry developments in the two years since the Federal Communications Commission’s February 2015 Open Internet Order.

The deal between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media would give the conservative-leaning company control of local news coverage in 70 percent of American households.

“In just a matter of days, the FCC’s majority will tee up an item aimed at dismantling the open-internet protections that so many Americans fought for and won back in 2015,” the Democratic Commission said in a speech delivered at a broadband forum in Los Angeles.

Though the Commission’s lone Democrat is unlikely to change the minds of her anti-regulation colleagues, she’s not ready to admit defeat just yet.

In the two-year period following the new net neutrality rules, overall investment among those companies was up 5 percent, according to Free Press.

WASHINGTON — Bloomberg reported early Friday morning that Sprint and T-Mobile have begun preliminary talks to work toward a merger. The deal, if approved, would join the third- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless companies, which together would serve 132 million subscribers.