David Sutphen, co-chair of the AT&T-funded Internet Innovation Alliance, says that Net Neutrality is
a "distraction" that "only concerns those already online." Sutphen calls Net Neutrality rules "divisive
new regulations," which could have "unintended consequences" for those seeking to bridge the digital
divide.
AT&T and Comcast claim that unless they can discriminate online, they wonâ??t be able to close the
broadband gap. But history shows otherwise. During the two years that AT&T operated under Net
Neutrality rules, required as a condition its merger with BellSouth, the company recorded gross profits
of more than $140 billion. In those same years, AT&T invested billions to build out networks and
reach new communities. When the Net Neutrality conditions expired, AT&T reduced its investment.