AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced that it will join this week’s protest which favors net neutrality rules enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2015.
The announcement was surprising considering that AT&T claims to be on the opposing side of the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality rules. However, it seems that the company now prefers the rules. The US carrier released a statement revealing that it would join numerous other companies in the cause. Numerous tech companies and nonprofit organizations have teamed up to discourage the FCC from attempting to reintroduce net neutrality protections for the consumer.
“This may seem like an anomaly to many people who might question why AT&T is joining with those who have differing viewpoints on how to ensure an open and free internet,” stated AT&T.
New rules are cumbersome
AT&T argues that it supports the idea that an open internet is very important because it allows information, ideas and commerce to flow freely, thus making sure that there is freedom of expression. The internet, however, seems to flow freely now without the rules, so it is hard to see what government rules would improve.
Meanwhile, Bob Quinn, the senior vice president of legislative and external affairs at AT&T argues that the communications firm is in favor of the foundational elements of net neutrality and the company claims that the current rules are not cumbersome and other cable companies have presented similar arguments.
Evan Greer, the spokesman for a non-profit organization called Fight for the Future had some interesting comments about AT&T and other network providers joining the protest. He pointed out that he found it hilarious that carriers and network providers were protesting against net neutrality laws so that they would still be able to push extra fees out of startups and internet users.
Greener believes that one of the reasons these companies are in support of the protest is so that they will not lose the ability to charge users more cash for less internet. AT&T has received a lot of criticism especially from supporters of the current regulations for being double sided on the matter.
AT&T stock closed the latest trading session on Tuesday at $36.60, which was the same stock price at the previous close.
