In response to the FCC’s recent inquiries into network management practices by wireless carriers and broadband providers, CTIA issued a statement defending carriers’ policies from what it called “apparent confusion.”

CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent said: “We look forward to clearing up the apparent confusion between text messages and common short codes that has been put forward by a number of groups. First and foremost, the wireless industry does not block text messages of any type. As far as common short codes are concerned, our comments will provide details on wireless industry practices, including several voluntary consumer protection measures that are already in place.  We are confident that after all of the facts are on the table, policymakers will conclude that government regulation of this competitive and evolving service will be bad for consumers.” 

In response to complaints last year that Verizon Wireless initially blocked a short code campaign by Naral Pro-Choice America and that broadband provider Comcast slowed peer-to-peer traffic, the FCC announced that it will investigate practices by broadband providers and whether text messages and short codes are covered by non-discrimination provisions in the telecom act. 

Public interest groups Public Knowledge and Free Press applauded the FCC’s investigation, saying the commission’s decisions will help create a “neutral” networking environment, with consumers, not providers, controlling the Internet.