By: Michael Steffen
We’re built on open source software, open data, and open standards, but all this work depends on an open Internet. We’ve built global infrastructure to serve beautiful maps insanely fast, but it only works if internet users everywhere can reliably get to our servers. — Eric Gundersen
This is the third time we’ve had to say this. Since the first time net neutrality rule changes came up, we’ve grown our business and launched new products. Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, Ajit Pai, is rehashing the same debate the FCC has been having since 2005.
In 2015, we were glad to see that the previous FCC administration listened to the comments of thousands of startups and over 4 million Americans. They put in place light touch regulations that prohibited harmful interference by cable companies or telecom service providers.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants to repeal those strong regulations. In ArsTechnica he argued:
The commission “need[s] to remove outdated and unnecessary regulations… We need to fire up the weed whacker and remove those rules that are holding back investment, innovation, and job creation.”
We disagree. A free and open internet protected by Title II enables companies like Mapbox to thrive, create jobs, and build innovative products and services that drive economic activity. Like any startup, we face big competitors. Strong internet protections make it possible for us to compete on the quality of our products, not on our ability to pay tolls to internet service providers.
We are joining over a 1,000 startups asking Chairman Pai to put aside dismantling the strong regulations that allow startups to compete and innovate, and instead focus on policies that would promote a stronger internet for everyone.
Please stand with us by showing your support for net neutrality and file a short comment with the FCC. It takes less than two minutes. Once you do, tweet you support for net neutrality. Join us in the Battle for the Net.
We support Net Neutrality. Still. was originally published in Points of interest on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.