Consumers Want Congress to Protect Right to Access Information, Services on Internet

[SOURCE: Free Press press release]
Two-thirds of Internet users have serious concerns about practices by Internet network owners to block or impair their access to information and services, and the majority of those surveyed support congressional action to prevent this practice, according to a new poll released today by consumer and public interest groups. The nationally representative survey found that more than 75 percent of Internet users polled are seriously concerned about not being able to freely choose an Internet service provider or being required to pay twice for certain Internet services. Another 70 percent were concerned about providers blocking or impairing their access to Internet services or sites, such as Internet telephone service or online retailers like Amazon.com. Fifty-four percent want Congress to take action to ensure that Internet providers are prohibited from engaging in these practices. The results were released amid upcoming congressional consideration of legislation that would prohibit network owners from blocking or impairing consumer access to content and services on the Web -- known as "network neutrality." The groups said the Federal Communications Commission's adoption of network neutrality principles last year fell short because the FCC refused to include enforcement mechanisms. Fueling the concern are recent reports that dominant network owners Verizon and AT&T intend to charge Internet content and services providers, like Google and Yahoo, fees for high-speed service in addition to Internet access fees charged to consumers. The groups called on Congress to swiftly move forward on meaningful legislation to prohibit network discrimination.
http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=111

* FCC Commissioner Copps Praises ISP Access Study
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6300504?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

* Internet freedom seen at risk
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?siteid=mktw&dist=moreover&guid={18490F6D-B4C0-46AA-B1CD-82C6C330BD62