Around the Net

Internet Vote Nears At FCC

  • Reuters, Sunday, December 19, 2010 10:35 PM
A controversial proposal for Internet traffic rules that would allow providers to ration access to their networks is up for vote on Tuesday. The rules would ban high-speed Internet providers like Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications from blocking lawful traffic, but are expected to acknowledge their need to manage network congestion and possibly charge consumers based on Internet usage.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski's plan will likely attract the grudging support of his two fellow Democrats, overcoming opposition from the agency's two Republicans. Copps wanted the FCC to reclassify Internet traffic under tougher rules applying to telephone service, while Clyburn has said she is uneasy about giving wireless Internet providers more freedom to manage their networks than wireline services. The Republican commissioners prefer that Internet traffic remain free of regulation.

The rules could help cable companies battling competitors who deliver competing video content over the same Internet lines the cable companies hook up to customers' homes.

advertisement

advertisement

Read the whole story at Reuters »

Next story loading loading..