FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – February 26, 2015 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued two historically important orders on February 26, 2015. The decisions came after much consideration and in part due to comments submitted by the FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC), chaired by Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick, who is also a shareholder with the law firm GrayRobinson.
The first order preempts state laws in North Carolina and Tennessee that restrict cities from offering broadband services. This has significant impact in the State of Florida, which also has laws making it difficult for cities to offer these communication services.
"If local governments choose to offer broadband services and provide their residents and businesses with a choice, they should be able to do so," says Resnick.
The second order allows the FCC to regulate broadband as a communications service and ensures Open Internet.
As Resnick points out, "Broadband has become the most important service in our society and economy. I applaud these decisions."
Until this Order, there was no ability to ensure that the few companies that control Broadband would do so in a way that would be consistent with the public interest. These decisions stand to benefit all levels of government, businesses, the economy, technological innovation and most importantly consumers.
"We all take Broadband for granted," said Resnick, "as we do with other vital services such as roadways, water and electricity. However, Broadband is essential for public safety, education, applying for a job, communicating for work, and our social interaction."
Resnick was first appointed to the IAC in 2004, and re-appointed in 2007 and 2010. He began as City Commissioner from 1998-2008 and has served as Mayor since 2008. He has been a shareholder at GrayRobinson since 2006, and currently oversees the communications, cable and broadband practice as head of the GrayRobinson Broadband/Communications Team. He also serves on the National League of Cities Information Technology and Communications Steering Committee, and the Board of Directors of Independent Multi-Family Communications Council (IMCC), and was a founding member of FLATOA (the Florida Chapter of NATOA.) Resnick holds bar admissions in Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
The IAC is comprised of representatives from local, state and Tribal governments with expertise in communications policy. They advise the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on a range of communications issues including cable and local franchising, public rights-of-way, facilities siting, universal service, broadband access, barriers to competitive entry and public safety communications.