NIKI TSONGAS 
3RD D ISTRICT, MASSACHUSETTS 
WWW.TSONGAS.HOUSE.GOV 
ARMED SERVICES COMMITIEE 
R ANKING MEMB ER ON 
OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON M ILITARY PERSONNEL 
COMMITIEE ON 
NATURAL RESOURCES 
SuscOMMITTEE ON 
P UBLIC l ANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON 
ENERGY AND M INERAL RESOURCES 
The Honorable Thomas Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler, 
December 15, 2014 
1607 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20515 
(202) 225-3411 
(202)22&--077 1 (FAX) 
11 KEARNEY SQUARE 
4TH FLOOR 
LOWELL, M A 01852 
(978) 459-0101 
(978) 459-1907 (FAX) 
As you continue working to replace the 201 0 Open Internet Order, I strongly urge to you 
consider reclassification of Internet access services as telecommunications services under Title II 
of the 1996 Telecommunications Act in order to preserve Internet freedom through strong 
network neutrality rules. 
Currently, the Internet is in the control of every individual who uses it, giving users the freedom 
to choose which sites to visit and what content to access. A free and open Internet has fostered 
innovation and economic development, transforming the 21 st century and driving our nation' s 
future economic growth. 
The principle of network neutrality ensures that all users are able to access all websites on an 
equal basis, with only minimal barriers that are low and equal to all users. An open Internet is 
vital for innovation and for consumers to reap the benefit of their broadband services. Big 
companies should not be able to dictate what sites load slowly, quickly, or not at all. 
As you know, Title II reclassification would mean treating Internet access services like other 
common carriers such as private phone and utility companies, which are not allowed to 
discriminate amongst their customers. 
Critics argue that this change would harm innovation and infrastructure investment. In fact, 
many of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) alleging harm are already Title II common carriers 
for telephone services and have advised shareholders that strong network neutrality rules would 
not, in fact, limit their infrastructure investments. As the Washington Post recently reported, a 
top executive ajVerizon told his investors that ifthe FCC moves forward with Title II, "we're 
going to continue to -invest in our networks and our platforms, both in Wireless and Wireline 
FiOs and where we need to. So nothing will influence that." Furthermore, iflnternet Service 
Providers are reclassified under Title II, the FCC will still have the authority to narrowly tailor 
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regulatory requirements to best meet the goals of net neutrality while minimizing burdens on the 
ISPs. 
That is why I agree with President Obama that reclassification represents the best path forward to 
ensure the strongest possible net neutrality protections. Title II is the only way to guarantee that 
the core principals of net neutrality, including no content blocking, no paid prioritization or 'fast 
lanes', and no discrimination of content, are fully enforceable. These principals are the backbone 
of the internet as we know it and are what led to our technological revolution. 
I fully support President Obama's plan and urge the FCC to put these proposals into effect 
quickly to create clear net neutrality standards. 
Sincerely, 
~~ 
Niki Tsongas 
Member of Congress