AT&T Response to the Internet Protection, Investment, and Innovation Act

May 11, 2010, Washington, DC

The following statement may be attributed to Tim McKone, AT&T Executive Vice President-Federal Relations.

“We applaud Representative Stearns for drafting a bill designed to address the dynamism of the Internet while protecting consumers from harm. As the FCC proceeds down the path of regulating the Internet by applying 75 year-old laws developed for the black rotary telephone we are hopeful that the Congress will take a more prudent path. It is clear that the Communications Act of 1934 is not the right vehicle to regulate 21st century technologies.  At a time when the telecommunications industry is one of the few bright spots in this troubled economy, it’s critical that laws are in place that incent infrastructure investment and job creation; not over regulatory maneuvers that would create uncertainty and harm investment, innovation, jobs, and consumers. New legislation is needed and this is an encouraging first step.”