Four years ago, Google teamed up with Verizon to argue that most network neutrality rules should not apply to cellular networks. The companies got much of what they wanted, with the Federal Communications Commission passing rules that let wireless operators discriminate against third-party applications as long as they disclose their traffic management practices. Wireless companies were also allowed to block applications that don't compete against their telephony services.
Verizon sued anyway and won when a federal appeals court struck down the FCC’s prohibitions against blocking and discrimination. The decision has set off months of debate, yet Google—once a strong supporter of net neutrality—has largely remained silent.
That changed today with Google sending a message to subscribers of its “Take Action” mailing list urging them to “Join Take Action to support a free and open Internet.” Within this page is evidence that Google has changed its mind on whether net neutrality rules should apply to wireless networks.
“We believe that consumers should continue to enjoy open on-ramps to the Internet,” Google wrote. “That means no Internet access provider should block or degrade Internet traffic, nor should they sell ‘fast lanes’ that prioritize particular Internet services over others. These rules should apply regardless of whether you’re accessing the Internet using a cable connection, a wireless service, or any other technology.”
The FCC’s latest proposal would once again exempt wireless from its most strict provisions, though Chairman Tom Wheeler left the door open to changing that approach.
Unlike in 2010, Google has not been outspoken in this net neutrality debate. Today, big Web companies such as Netflix, reddit, and Kickstarter took part in an “Internet Slowdown” protest claiming that the FCC wants to divide the Internet into fast lanes for companies that pay ISPs and slow lanes for everyone else. Google did not join the protest—the Take Action message wasn’t even posted on a Google.com address, leaving typical Google users unaware of the company’s apparent new stance on net neutrality.
Google’s only filing with the FCC on the net neutrality proposal said that Google Fiber doesn't strike paid prioritization deals, but didn’t mention wireless. The deadline to submit initial comments in the proceeding has passed. At this point, only replies to initial comments can be submitted.
Google wrote in its Take Action message that its “values remain the same,” and that, “Earlier this year, we joined with other Internet companies calling on the FCC to preserve the open Internet.” That is apparently a reference to Google co-signing a letter in May that urged the FCC to "protect users and Internet companies on both fixed and mobile platforms against blocking, discrimination, and paid prioritization."
Yet Google is also a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, which opposes network neutrality rules. Google has been silent in the face of calls to end its membership in that group.
We asked Google today if it plans to take any further action to support net neutrality rules for wireless networks, but haven’t heard back yet.
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