Verizon files lawsuit against FCC over net neutrality rules

Broadband Expert warned you of the coming lawsuits once the new FCC regulations on net neutrality were published. We then reported when the lawsuits started with two activist groups filing lawsuits in Boston, Massachusetts and Richmond, Virginia. The new laws have been published and take effect nearly seven weeks from now on November 20th. The new regulations allow the FCC to fine and take even harsher actions against ISPs who throttle certain services or refuse to carry certain content and services. Now Verizon has filed a lawsuit against the FCC in the United States Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. They believe that the FCC does not have the authority to make such restrictive rules. The head lawyer for Verizon, Michael Glover said “We are deeply concerned by the FCC’s assertion of broad authority to impose potentially sweeping and unneeded regulations on broadband networks and services and on the Internet itself. We believe this assertion of authority is inconsistent with the statute and will create uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers.” With Verizon joining Free Press and the Mountain Area Informational Network in suing the FCC this should be an interesting fight. With ISPs on one side and activists on the other – both fighting against the current regulations – it should be really, really interesting.