Paid Priority Banning Bill Draws a Crowd

Computer companies and others were quick to praise a congressional effort to ban paid prioritization, while cable operators suggested the Federal Communications Commission had it under control.

Following the introduction of the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act on June 17 in both the House and Senate, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association said that it supports the FCC's new rules and is not prioritizing anyway.

“The cable industry has consistently stated our support for sensible but clear rules which ensure that American consumers continue to enjoy an open and unfettered Internet experience," NCTA said. "Cable companies do not engage in paid prioritization and have every incentive to ensure that all consumers enjoy fast and robust Internet services. We are confident that Chairman Wheeler can restore effective rules under the path that the Court suggested, and we will work with all parties to preserve consumer protections enforced by the FCC and Federal Trade Commission.”

The Computer & Communications Industry Association was all for the bill, praising its focus on the last mile connection, but also using that as a jumping-off point to criticize paid peering. “Congresswoman Matsui and Senator Leahy have prudently focused their legislation on the problems arising from the power which Internet access providers have to arbitrarily charge edge providers for priority local or “last mile” delivery capacity," CCIA President Ed Black said, then turned it to the issue of middle mile and payments for interconnection hand-offs.