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FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing: Net Neutrality and Antitrust Law

Original title: NET NEUTRALITY AND THE ROLE OF ANTITRUST

January 1, 2018

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing explored whether existing laws are sufficient to regulate internet service providers or if specific regulations are necessary to ensure fair competition and consumer access.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Internet Service Providers

The regulatory framework discussed directly impacts their operational requirements and legal obligations regarding network management.

Rural Broadband Association (NTCA)

The association represents rural providers whose business models and infrastructure investments are subject to the regulatory policies discussed.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2018.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is the official record of a 2017 House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing examining the intersection of policies and enforcement. It includes opening statements and testimony from Federal Trade Commission officials and industry representatives regarding how competition laws apply to internet service providers.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on November 1, 2017, before the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law.
  • The session focused on the role of antitrust law in the context of net neutrality.
  • Testimony was provided by officials from the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.
  • Industry perspective was provided by the Rural Broadband Association (NTCA).
  • The record includes written responses to questions for the record from all four witnesses.
  • Additional materials, including reports and articles, were submitted for the record by committee members.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to discuss how laws interact with and to gather expert testimony on the regulatory landscape for internet service providers.
Who testified at this hearing?
Witnesses included Maureen K. Ohlhausen (FTC), Michael Romano (NTCA), Terrell McSweeny (FTC), and Robert M. McDowell (former FCC Commissioner).

Why It Matters

The hearing explored whether existing laws are sufficient to regulate internet service providers or if specific regulations are necessary to ensure fair competition and consumer access.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Regulatory Oversight Debate

The hearing highlights a clear tension between using existing antitrust enforcement versus creating specific net neutrality regulations to govern internet service providers.

Connected Entities

personTerrell McSweenyCommissioner of the Federal Trade CommissionMap →
personMaureen K. OhlhausenActing Chairman of the Federal Trade CommissionMap →
personRobert M. McDowellFormer Commissioner of the Federal Communications CommissionMap →
organizationHouse Committee on the JudiciaryThe parent committee overseeing the subcommitteeMap →
personTom MarinoChairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust LawMap →
personMichael RomanoSenior Vice President at NTCA (The Rural Broadband Association)Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy75
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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