FTTH Council Reacts to Federal Court Decision on "Net Neutrality"

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Joe Savage, President of the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council - a non-profit organization of more than 200 companies and organizations dedicated to expanding the deployment of all-fiber, next-generation networks - made the following statement in reaction to today's ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that the FCC lacks the authority to require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all Internet traffic flowing over their networks:

The FTTH Council has supported the FCC's network neutrality principles, but we have opposed turning those principles into official rules, largely because of our concerns that restricting the ability of service providers to manage their networks would prove counterproductive to ensuring they could offer quality, affordable service.

To date, service providers have acted responsibly and in the best interests of their customers. That's simply good business. And the decision by the Court of Appeals will not change those practices. Finally, the best way to alleviate any possible concerns about network management is to foster the growth of FTTH networks, with their enormous capacity and future-proof capabilities.

About the Fiber-to-the-Home Council

Now in its ninth year, the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council is a non-profit association consisting of companies and organizations that deliver video, Internet and/or voice services over high-bandwidth, next-generation, direct fiber optic connections - as well as those involved in planning and building FTTH networks. The Council works to create a cohesive group to share knowledge and build industry consensus on key issues surrounding fiber to the home. Its mission is to educate the public and government officials about FTTH solutions and to promote and accelerate deployment of fiber to the home and the resulting quality of life enhancements such networks make possible. The Council organizes North America's largest annual FTTH event, the FTTH Conference & Expo, to be held September 12 - 16, 2010 in Las Vegas. More information about the Council can be found at www.ftthcouncil.org.

Media Contact:

David St. John
Media Relations
FTTH Council
315.849.3800
media@ftthcouncil.org