The turbulent march of the Net Neutrality Bill through the Washington legislation process continues. According to CNET, Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton has agreed to revise the bill, bowing to
pressures from Internet and software companies who said it provided ISPs too much latitude in its current version. Barton said the revision will give the FCC more flexibility to address violations of
so-called Net Neutrality mandates. Net Neutrality refers to the idea that the federal government should prevent broadband providers from granting faster access and more bandwidth to some Web
publishers on their networks than others. The revised bill would raise fines to $500,000 per violation and require the FCC to resolve complaints within 90 days after allegations are made. In doing so,
Barton hasn't exactly reneged on his previous stance, which was that market forces would work the issue out naturally, but the "compromise," as CNET calls it, is probably a means of pacifying the
Microsofts and Googles who were upset that the initial bill didn't go far enough in forcing network providers to operate in a way approved by the government. It should be noted that network providers
aren't talking about blocking Web sites, but rather instituting a so-called "fast-lane toll" for publishers who need more bandwidth to deliver video and other content at faster speeds. Publishers
believe network bandwidth should be equally available to all.
Read the whole story at CNET News.com »
