2M signatures, 300 comments at FCC ahead of net neutrality vote

The Federal Communications Commission is getting deluged with comments before it gets ready to vote on proposed rules to regulate the Internet, including rules that would govern wireless broadband. Among the groups filing is an organization called SavetheInternet.com, which promises to hand deliver 2 million signatures to the FCC.
The group, backed by Free Press, said it represents more than 850 groups from across the political spectrum. “We represent people from every walk of life, and don’t take a penny of corporate money to do this work. Our goal is to give Internet users a seat at the table, a voice in Washington when it comes to protecting our vital right to access an open Internet. … Net Neutrality issue isn’t merely an issue to be decided among corporate Titans, their lobbyists and Beltway insiders. It pits the special interests of the few (phone and cable companies) against a vast and authentic grassroots effort involving Americans of every stripe.”
On the other hand, Mobile Future said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s proposal is reasonable. “Given the vibrantly competitive wireless marketplace and the “real and relevant differences” between wireline and wireless networks, Mobile Future continues to believe that Commission regulation of wireless broadband Internet access is inappropriate. That said, Mobile Future is supportive of Chairman Julius Genachowski’s plan to move ahead with rules patterned after the compromise legislation proposed by Representatives Henry Waxman and Rick Boucher, i.e., the Open Internet Act of 2010.2 Compared to the more inflexible net neutrality proposals being advocated by some for wireless services, the Chairman’s proposed reasonable approach would be more consistent with spurring investment and innovation to bring the benefits of wireless broadband services to all Americans.”
Dish Networks said it called FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to discuss the issue. “Dish expressed its support for strong open Internet rules, and provided several examples from the record of wireless applications that potentially could be blocked under the proposed wireless blocking rule reported to be under consideration for adoption at the upcoming commission open meeting.”
The FCC has received 297 comments in the last 30 days on the proposal.
One issue that hasn’t received much media attention is how fixed wireless broadband providers would be treated under the proposal. Netwurx provides fixed wireless broadband service in rural Southeastern Wisconsin using unlicensed spectrum. “Netwurx is concerned that certain Network Neutrality rules, if adopted, would severely and adversely affect our ability to continue to provide our customers with affordable fixed wireless broadband services. It is our understanding that although mobile broadband will have a special set of rules, fixed wireless broadband will be lumped in with traditional wired services and be subject to a stricter set of rules. We feel that the network neutrality rules imposed on fixed wireless broadband should be no more rigid than the rules that will apply to mobile wireless broadband providers. The physics of wireless technology and delivery necessitate a relaxed set of rules for all wireless technologies.”