Officials Step Up Net-Neutrality Efforts

OFFICIALS STEP UP NET-NEUTRALITY EFFORTS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Vishesh Kumar vishesh.kumar@wsj.com]
Big broadband companies are headed for a clash with Washington over whether consumers have a right to get as much as they want from the Internet, as fast as they want it, without paying extra for the privilege. Complaints that cable titan Comcast Corp. is deliberately delaying some Internet traffic are prompting moves in Washington to block efforts by broadband providers to favor some kinds of Internet traffic over others. Rep Edward Markey (D-MA) last night introduced a bill that would change federal laws to make sure Internet traffic has protections similar to phone calls, which companies are required to connect without hesitation. Together with Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss), Rep Markey is proposing the "Internet Freedom Preservation Act," which says it is the policy of the U.S. to "maintain the freedom to use for lawful purposes broadband telecommunications networks, including the Internet, without unreasonable interference from or discrimination by network operators." Essentially, the bill would give the Federal Communications Commission more authority to police Internet providers to make sure they're delivering traffic fairly. Meanwhile, comments are due today at the FCC in the agency's investigation of complaints that Comcast is deliberately slowing some Internet traffic, as well as a broader look at what should be done about such complaints in the future. The stepped-up efforts by regulators and lawmakers to enforce what tech-industry officials call "net neutrality" come as an explosion in downloading of online video is prompting cable and phone companies to rethink their Internet pricing models, opening the door for fee plans based on the extent of usage.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120286741569864053.html?mod=todays_us_pa...
(requires subscription)

* Comcast Defends Role As Internet Traffic Cop
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Cecilia Kang]
Comcast said yesterday that it purposely slows down some traffic on its network, including some music and movie downloads, an admission that sparked more controversy in the debate over how much control network operators should have over the Internet. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Comcast said such measures -- which can slow the transfer of music or video between subscribers sharing files, for example -- are necessary to ensure better flow of traffic over its network. In defending its actions, Comcast stepped into one of the technology industry's most divisive battles. Comcast argues that it should be able to direct traffic so networks don't get clogged; consumer groups and some Internet companies argue that the networks should not be permitted to block or slow users' access to the Web.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/12/AR200802...
(requires registration)

* Comcast defends Web traffic methods with U.S. regulators
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1229825120080213