WASHINGTON - Today’s move by Google to encourage the Michigan legislature to add so-called net neutrality mandates to a video franchise reform bill would create a regulatory nightmare across the country, discourage innovation in broadband and potentially delay the benefits of video choice according to Hands Off the Internet. Last week’s Michigan State House’s passage of HB 6456, the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act, was an important first step in protecting innovation and offering choice for Michigan’s telecommunications consumers.

In response to the statement from Google, Mike McCurry and Chris Wolf, co-chairs of the Hands Off the Internet coalition, issued the following statement:

“Google’s proposal would open the door to a state by state piecemeal regulation of the Internet which would be a disaster for consumers and businesses in Michigan and across the nation. Can you imagine an Internet of the future where providers must meet 50 different requirements for how they handle Internet traffic?”

“The experts at Google should know full well you can’t impose net neutrality on a state by state basis. Their ’solution’ would add an unworkable regulatory framework to legislation that had achieved bipartisan support for bringing video choice to consumers in the state.”

The Hands Off The Internet coalition is a Washington, DC-based coalition of companies and non-profit organizations that believe the Internet has flourished because government has not tried to regulate it. Members include Alcatel, AT&T, the National Association of Manufacturers, FiberControl, and Cinergy Communications. Non-profit members include the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, the American Conservative Union and the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

(Washington) - In response to the change in power in Congress and amid some speculation that it may result in a renewed push for Internet regulation, the Hands Off the Internet coalition released the following statement:

“Today’s change in the makeup of Congress should change nothing in the debate over regulating the Internet through so-called net neutrality mandates. While many have tried to turn this debate into a partisan one, the reality is important voices across the political spectrum have concluded that regulation of the Internet is unnecessary and would result in a whole host of unintended consequences. Editorial pages on the right and left, labor unions like the Communications Workers of America, hi-tech manufacturers, academics and technology leaders on both sides of the political aisle and former officials from both Democrat and Republican administrations have all urged Congress to avoid the heavy handed regulation of net neutrality.”

“In the 1990’s, Democrats and Republicans worked together to ensure regulatory restraint over the Internet. This restraint laid the foundation for the unprecedented creation of jobs, opportunity and wealth since the early 1990s. We are optimistic that the new Congress will continue this legacy as we move towards a new wave of Internet innovation that creates jobs, brings greater benefits to consumers and results in greater broadband access for millions of Americans.”