U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson, Jeff Duncan, Ralph Norman and Trey Gowdy, all South Carolina Republicans, are among more than 100 members of Congress who encouraged the recent repeal of net neutrality.
A one-page letter, sent Wednesday to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, details their take on the matter and contains their signatures.
The letter was released by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the communications and technology subcommittee.
"We write today in support of the Federal Communications Commission's plan to restore internet freedom by reversing the prior Commission's decision to regulate broadband internet service under Title II of the Communications Act, a statutory scheme created for the monopoly telephone carriers of a bygone era," the letter reads.
An amended Title II (PDF) was approved in 2015 and gave the FCC the authority to stop companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from interfering with internet traffic and access.
The letter, signed by more than 100 members of Congress, was released by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Political action committees and related individuals of AT&T, Comcast and Verizon have contributed a total of more than $16,000 to the four congressmen's respective 2017-18 campaign committees, according to Federal Election Commission data collated by the Center for Responsive Politics.
The Dec. 13 letter states that repealing net neutrality – as the FCC did by a party-lines 3-2 vote Thursday afternoon – would be a "major step forward." The letter says a repeal would generate the investment needed to upgrade the current "internet architecture."
Critics of the repeal warn that not having net neutrality grants internet service providers control – via speed throttling, charging more for specific access or all together blocking access to certain sites and apps – over what internet users do and where they go.
Pai, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, has said the direct opposite: The chairman believes less government control means more competition and a greater selection of services for the American people. Pai first outlined his anti-neutrality beliefs earlier this year, drumming up protests.
The letter reinforces Pai's perspective. It describes the repeal as a restoration, as a return to the internet's "rightful regulatory home."
Critics of the repeal have cited a lack of provider competition in certain markets, which they say encourages monopoly tactics: predatory or discriminatory pricing and one-way dealing.
Internet users in Aiken – depending on exact location – have access to AT&T, Atlantic Broadband and Comcast services.
