Chief Technology Officer calls on experts to develop system to monitor internet service providers and disclose when they are engaging in discriminatory practices
The Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer today released a "Truth in Broadband” Request for Information (RFI) to establish transparency and accountability in how carriers provide internet service to consumers. The goal of the RFI is to gather input from industry and subject matter experts to help implement a system for monitoring the quality and performance of internet service providers.
The move comes as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved regulations that would repeal net neutrality protections and give internet service providers control over what content reaches customers and what customers can send to the internet.
“Making New York the fairest city in America means protecting the fundamental right to access an open internet,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are the first city to take this step as part of our plan to hold internet service providers accountable for discriminatory practices.”
“We applaud the Mayor’s initiative to collect and monitor data that will bring into focus what internet service providers are providing – and not providing -- to consumers,” said New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “My office is committed to holding these providers accountable for their promises.”
“An open internet for all – with no restrictions on quality or speed – is a fundamental component of a free and equal society,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “We remain committed to ensuring net neutrality. The ‘Truth in Broadband’ request will facilitate our work towards creating a more equitable city for all New Yorkers.”
The Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer is charged with implementing the Mayor's goal for universal broadband for all New Yorkers by 2025. The Truth in Broadband RFI builds on the NYC Connected RFI for Citywide Broadband and the Governors Island Connectivity Challenge, both of which are aimed at delivering new infrastructure and service. In July 2017, Mayor de Blasio led a bipartisan coalition of 65 mayors in opposition to the reclassification of broadband as an information service.
The FCC has retreated from ensuring accountability and transparency of broadband providers. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has proposed a lower speed standard for broadband and changes to how the FCC collects and reports data on broadband performance and availability. On December 14th, 2017 the FCC re-classified broadband as an information service and significantly reduced regulatory oversight of Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”). The move also repealed regulations requiring open internet practices. ISPs may now make discriminatory and self-serving decisions to slow or block some content for financial or political gain. In the new rules, ISPs are only required to self-disclose limited information about their network management practices, performance, and commercial terms.
Though reclassification will allow large internet service providers to block or throttle content at will, they say they do not plan to do so. Without monitored transparency, people cannot know if ISPs are honoring that claim.
Anyone can respond to the RFI. Responses to the Truth in Broadband RFI are due February 28, 2018 and can be submitted at http://on.nyc.gov/
"Our commitment to universal, affordable, high-speed internet is a commitment to an open internet,” said Miguel Gamiño, Jr., New York City Chief Technology Officer. “We’re engaging the experts so that we can appropriately and boldly act to protect fair and equal access to the Internet for everyone, where the federal government will not."
