WASHINGTON, DC – The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) today issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to reclassify Internet service providers (ISPs) as common carriers under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, prohibiting ISPs from blocking web traffic or charging websites for priority service.

“Today’s vote is a win for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.  By prohibiting ISPs from discriminating through paid prioritization, the FCC has ensured that America’s startups have the opportunity to thrive and grow on a level playing field without being placed at a competitive disadvantage to larger competitors,” said Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of NVCA.  “We have maintained from the beginning that the regulatory solution is not as important as the end goal of protecting and preserving an open Internet so that innovation can flourish without interruption.  We are glad to see that the FCC voted to protect America’s entrepreneurs from arbitrary roadblocks that would limit their potential to build transformative products and services on the Internet.”