Every Alaskan deserves access to a free and open internet.
Gov. Bill Walker and the administration passionately agree with this commonly held belief and have proven our commitment to increasing internet access across our state and to defending the principles of net neutrality.
In response to pushing from the governor, earlier this year, every member of the Alaska Telecom Association signed a letter reaffirming their commitment to never intentionally block, slow down, or charge money to access specific websites. This is a practical step to reassure Alaskans that we will always maintain an equitable digital landscape.
2018-06-01 ATA Net Neutrality Letter to Gov by Kevin Gullufsen on Scribd
On the other hand, despite recent criticism suggesting otherwise, an administrative order aimed at protecting net neutrality at best would be a public relations stunt that looks good on paper. At worst, it would do serious harm to rural communities in greatest need of broadband upgrades. This became clear during an internal review process that began last year and intensified when a bipartisan group of lawmakers urged the governor to issue an administrative order banning state contracts with internet providers that fail to follow net neutrality.
Among the problems: prioritizing access for services like telemedicine and distance education wouldn’t be possible under the administrative order proposed by the lawmakers. Additionally, many regions in Alaska have just one internet provider. If that company engaged in practices out of compliance with the order and was refused a state contract, the community may lose internet access altogether. Attempts to establish specific requirements different from other states would also create a barrier for new internet providers to enter the Alaska market, further entrenching existing monopolies. Constitutional constraints on the power of the governor would also likely render any order meaningless and would almost certainly set off litigation.
Plain and simple, the debate over net neutrality needs to be settled at the federal level.
The most meaningful way state government can ensure a free and open internet is to focus on something we can actually accomplish: investment in infrastructure to expand internet capacity, particularly in rural Alaska.
Focusing on this sort of real, achievable solution will enable economic growth, improvements in health care, and innovation in education all across our state. Hollow talking points only stand in the way of the progress Alaskans need and deserve.
• Commissioner Mike Navarre leads the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
