We ve written that the FCC received more than 1 million public comments on its proposed net neutrality plan. (The plan that critics say wouldn t actually preserve net neutrality, or the principle of equal treatment of online traffic.) Now there are peeks into who cared enough to comment, and what they said, after the agency this month released all the comments.
The skinny: Most of the comments were pro net neutrality, according to a study reported by NPR. They included concerns about the creation of Internet fast lanes (with faster, smoother Internet access going to those who pay for it); mentioned that the plan would threaten democratization and diversity enabled by the Internet; and skepticism about ISPs and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, who s a former telecom lobbyist.
Who submitted comments? A data analysis firm found that states on the East and West coasts were strongly engaged, while Southern states were underrepresented. As for which cities submitted the most comments, they include Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Berkeley, says the Verge, which has a searchable-by-ZIP code database.
The Federal Communications Commission ended its collection of public comments in mid-July. Responses to the comments are officially due by Sept. 10, but the FCC plans to hold roundtable meetings in Washington in September and October. Lawmakers are calling on the FCC to hold roundtables beyond D.C., according to Hillicon Valley.
Photo: FCC Commissioner Ajit Paj speaks as Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, center, and Chairman Tom Wheeler, right, look on during a meeting May 15, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)
