Remarks by 60 Plus Association President, Amy Frederick, regarding the FCC’s decision to reclassify the internet under Title II, thus essentially trying to regulate it.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski’s ‘Third Way’ proposal announced last week is deeply concerning for the 60 Plus Association and the older Americans that we represent. As a non-partisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise, less government, less taxes approach to seniors issues, we believe that Chairman Genachowski’s suggestion to pursue additional regulation will not only place undue financial burdens on older adults but is also a clear case of federal government overreach.

As stated in our previous comments to the FCC in the matter of the Open Internet NPRM, “Private investment has been critical to expanding broadband deployment at affordable prices and with innovative services, which are especially appealing to so many seniors who struggle with the high cost of living while on fixed incomes.” If the FCC chooses to adopt Chairman’s Genachowski’s ‘Third Way’ suggestions for the internet policy framework, we believe the incentive for the private sector to invest will be reduced, threatening to cut off the steady stream of capital expenditures into broadband internet, slowing the pace of innovation, and potentially increasing broadband service costs – thus ultimately and needlessly affecting seniors pocketbooks, especially those on fixed incomes.

We strongly urge the FCC to rethink the ‘Third Way’ proposal and, instead, support policies furthering broadband adoption and deployment and continued investment and innovation, which will give all of our nation, and especially our seniors, the opportunity to access the benefits of broadband.

-30-