• The Wall Street Journal, Monday, December 15, 2008 10:46 AM

After years of advocating equal network access for all Web properties--the idea that no sites should be given special treatment by service providers--Google has begun approaching major cable and phone companies about creating a special "fast lane" for its sites and services, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Network neutrality has long been considered a sacred principle of the Web, and Google was one of its biggest defenders. But service providers have increasingly complained that major Internet destinations should share in the costs of maintaining their networks, especially with the rise of Internet video. With Google now perhaps willing to strike a deal--and with Microsoft and Yahoo quietly backing out of a pro-neutrality group--that era could be coming to an end.

"If we did this, Washington would be on fire," said one executive at a cable company who is familiar with the talks.

Read the whole story at The Wall Street Journal »