Network neutrality: Strife in the fast lane

[Commentary] The Federal Communications Commission faces two important decisions: how to proceed on net neutrality and whether to approve Comcast’s takeover of Time Warner Cable. Both have huge implications for broadband in the US, and will affect a swath of media and telecoms groups, as well as millions of consumers -- including those on the wrong side of the digital divide.

One option the FCC is considering to address these concerns is asking Comcast to do more to close the digital divide as a condition of approving its takeover of Time Warner Cable. It could require the cable group to offer cheap deals to a much wider pool of poor families, and to senior citizens and those with disabilities. But an increasing number of investors are betting the deal will fall apart if the FCC follows President Obama’s advice and reclassifies broadband as a public utility, reasoning it would be a lot less attractive if regulation gets tougher.