Fergie's Tech Blog

Net Neutrality Proposal Revived in House

Anne Broache writes on the C|Net Politics Blog:

A twice-defeated Democratic proposal to write Net neutrality principles into law--that is, prohibit network operators from discriminating against content or requiring content providers to pay extra for the privilege of faster transmission--is making a comeback.

Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey on Tuesday introduced a bill he is calling the Network Neutrality Act of 2006 [.pdf]. His measure is similar to another Senate proposal, which was introduced in March but has seen no action yet, that would also write Net neutrality regulations into law.

"Broadband network owners should not be able to determine who can and who cannot offer services over broadband networks or over the Internet," Markey said upon introducing the bill, voicing sentiments shared by a broad coalition of Internet companies--including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.com--and a consumer-oriented campaign allied under the mantra "Save the Internet."

posted by Fergie @ 5/02/2006 11:29:00 AM