Dear Editor:

The Federal Communications Commission’s recent decision to regulate the Internet under “Title II” will have many negative consequences for our economy.

What the administration calls “Net Neutrality” is in fact a regulatory regime that will stifle innovation and investment in broadband by unleashing a confusing mix of rate regulations and red tape that will sap resources out of many businesses especially less-established startups.

Title II transforms the decades-old “light touch” framework, which has resulted in the explosion of online services since the 1990s, into a misguided system of oversight that allows the FCC to micromanage nearly all aspects of the Internet.

“Title II” will regulate the Internet like a public utility. Such regulations in other sectors of our economy have led to investment drying up or poorer performance for roads, railways, electricity and pipelines. Why we would want to go along the same path for the Internet an essential tool for ever-more Americans’ livelihoods?

There is too much to lose and nothing to gain by discarding a sound government policy and replacing it with one that will jeopardize the further growth of the Internet.

Members of the Ohio delegation and other members of Congress must stand against the regulation of broadband as a Title II service.

Kent Moore

Former Belmont

County GOP Chairman