[IP] Copps: FCC can impose Net Neutrality
Begin forwarded message:
From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: May 24, 2006 10:52:42 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] Copps: FCC can impose Net Neutrality
Reply-To: dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
COPPS: FCC CAN IMPOSE NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The Federal Communications Commission has authority under current law
to ensure that broadband-access providers -- currently mainly cable
and phone companies -- do not discriminate against Web-based
providers of content, search services and applications, FCC
commissioner Michael Copps said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, Copps
stressed that it was essential for the agency to go beyond hortatory
policy principles and adopt enforceable rules that guarantee network
neutrality and shield Internet companies without wires into millions
of homes from potential misconduct by companies that control those
wires. "I think we have authority to go now to the second phase of
network neutrality, to make sure that there's not discrimination
against those that are not affiliated with the network owners," Copps
said in a press briefing held in his office . Although some have
questioned the FCC authority's to impose network neutrality on
information-service providers under Title I of the Communications
Act, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a majority opinion last June
indicating otherwise. "The [FCC] remains free to impose special
regulatory duties on facilities-based [Internet-service providers]
under its Title I ancillary jurisdiction," Justice Clarence Thomas
wrote in National Cable & Telecommunications Association vs. Brand X
Internet Services. Copps indicated that the FCC could rely on Title I
authority to act. "I think we have a good bit of authority in serving
the public interest in keeping the networks open to move ahead on
this," he said.
<http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6337396.html?display=Breaking
+News>
Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>
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