Cisco has long supported an open and innovative Internet. Many of the Internet's benefits come from its open nature and the ability of anyone to develop new devices and services that connect to it. Such innovation has created entirely new industries and has fostered competitive markets in Internet applications and equipment.

Recognizing these advantages, Cisco helped produce the High Tech Broadband Coalition's Connectivity Principles in 2003, which were embodied in the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Policy Statement of 2005. The Connectivity Principles and FCC Policy protect consumers and their ability to use the Internet in an open fashion. Cisco continues to support these principles.

Innovation inside the network is just as important as innovation in services and devices connected to the Internet. As the Internet becomes better, faster, and more integral to our economy and personal lives, it is necessary for broadband Internet access providers to do three things: to use innovative technology to manage their networks; to provide new features and services that meet evolving consumer needs; and to prioritize the delivery of applications such as voice and video. Cisco supports the use of network management tools by Internet access providers to improve the Internet experience as long as there is no anticompetitive effect. Specifically, Cisco supports:

• Service providers' pro-competitive network management techniques to alleviate congestion, ameliorate capacity constraints, and enable new services
• Service providers' freedom to offer additional services that supplement broadband Internet access, including bandwidth tiers, quality of service (prioritization), security, antivirus and antispam services, network management services, as well as to enter into commercially negotiated agreements with unaffiliated parties for the provision of such additional services

Cisco's Position: Regulate Only If Problems Occur, Not Before

In recent years, telecommunications regulation has had a difficult time keeping up with changes in technology and markets. Imposing specific Internet neutrality rules now to address hypothetical problems would only compound the problem. Rather, the FCC has taken the appropriate path by setting forth principles and indicating that it will take enforcement action in the event that problems arise.

Cisco supports FCC action on a case-by-case basis; that is, only when it is faced with a specific complaint with respect to the Connectivity Principles or related anticompetitive behavior.