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Headlines, Network Neutrality
Online bandwidth hogs to be cut off at trough?
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 24, 2008 - 7:49amThe era of carefree, unlimited Internet browsing and downloading might be coming to an end. Industry leaders Comcast and Time Warner Cable have started testing traffic-metering and management techniques that seek to rein in heavy usage, and AT&T says such limits are inevitable for the most extreme users of its network.
Obama's Telecom Policies Suggest Open-Internet Push
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 22, 2008 - 3:33pmSen Barack Obama (D-IL) is seen as likely to push for key changes in telecommunications policies that would expand Internet businesses if he's elected US president. He supports Network Neutrality legislation which prevents Internet providers from interfering with Web content based on its source or ownership.
Stearns: A la Carte, Network Neutrality Quiet
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 19, 2008 - 9:43amRep Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the ranking Republican on the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee, said he doesn't think there will be any congressional action on a la carte or network neutrality in this session of Congress and advised that unless it wanted to kill innovation and upset a vibrant marketplace, the Federal Communications Commission shouldn't do anything, either.
AT&T and Verizon say FCC Net Neutrality principles work
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 18, 2008 - 7:53amExecutives from AT&T and Verizon Communications said Tuesday that it's important for the Federal Communications Commission to take action against Comcast for slowing down some peer-to-peer traffic to prove that legislation is not necessary when it comes to Network Neutrality.
FCC Must Police Comcast: Free Press
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 16, 2008 - 5:48pmWith Comcast continuing to argue that the Federal Communications Commission has no authority to enforce Network Neutrality principles, advocacy group Free Press is making another push to persuade the agency to take action.
Barack Obama’s Media Agenda
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 16, 2008 - 8:13amA Q&A with Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) on his communications policy agenda. He indicates that he is committed to working toward a digital-TV transition that is without significant disruption (the switchover would come less than four weeks after his inauguration); said the Federal Communications Commission needs to take merger reviews more seriously; asserted that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, like his predecessor Michael Powell, has tried to “dismantle” rules that protect the public; and gave his thoughts on whether cable content should be regulated or its channels unbundled.
Charging by the Byte to Curb Internet Traffic
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 16, 2008 - 8:08am(6/15) Some people use the Internet simply to check e-mail and look up phone numbers. Others are online all day, downloading big video and music files. For years, both kinds of Web surfers have paid the same price for access.
Google prepping broadband-monitoring tools
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 16, 2008 - 8:01amWhen it comes to your broadband connection, Google wants you to know that it has your back. The Internet giant is developing a suite of tools to help broadband users identify traffic discrimination by their Internet service providers.
AT&T weighs extra fee for Web's bandwidth hogs
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 13, 2008 - 7:18amAT&T, the country's largest Internet provider, is considering charging extra for customers who download large amounts of data. "A form of usage-based pricing for those customers who have abnormally high usage patterns is inevitable," spokesman Michael Coe said this week.
FCC Delays Vote on Skype's Wireless Push
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 12, 2008 - 9:18pmThe Federal Communications Commission has delayed a vote scheduled for Thursday that would have denied a petition from Ebay's Skype to open up cellular networks. Skype requested earlier in the year that cellphone carriers be required to open up their networks so its Internet phone service application can run on all handsets.
