Sprint: We can live with reclassifying Web

Sprint is giving ammunition to supporters of tough net neutrality rules.

In a filing on Friday, the nation’s third largest wireless carrier told the Federal Communications Commission that expected controversial federal regulations that treat broadband Internet like a utility won’t necessarily be a burden to wireless companies.

{mosads}The statement backs off from earlier industry fears that reclassifying Internet service so that it can be regulated under Title II of the Communications Act would be devastating for U.S. companies’ ability to invest and grow their businesses.

As long as wireless companies are able to manage their networks and treat some services different than others, “Sprint does not believe that a light touch application of Title II … would harm the continued investment in, and deployment of, mobile broadband services,” Chief Technology Officer Stephen Bye wrote.

“So long as the FCC continues to allow wireless carriers to manage our networks and differentiate our products, Sprint will continue to invest in data networks regardless of whether they are regulated by Title II, Section 706, or some other light tough regulatory regime,” he added.

The increasing likelihood that the FCC would turn to Title II for new net neutrality regulations became a flashpoint in the battle over rules for the Internet. Republicans on Capitol Hill have said that the move would apply 1930s-style regulation to the Internet of the 21st century, and have urged the FCC to proceed — if at all — under Section 706 of the law, which allows the agency to promote broadband adoption. 

For months, Internet service companies have agreed with them. Last year, Verizon threatened to sue the FCC if it invoked Title II rules, and AT&T claimed that the mere possibility of the utility-style rules was forcing it to stall some projects, though it later walked that statement back. 

In its letter, Sprint was careful to note that the FCC should hold off on some aspects of Title II rules, so as to allow wireless companies to deal with surges in their networks. Still, the recognition should be a major boost to supporters of reclassification, such as President Obama, who last year made a public call for the FCC to enact the rules.