House Committee To Nix Plans For 'Network Neutrality' Clause

[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
In a major blow to Internet firms such as Amazon.com and Google, the House Commerce Committee expects to scrap plans for "network neutrality" safeguards in forthcoming telecommunications legislation, sources say. Instead, the committee will apparently move a streamlined video franchising bill sought by AT&T and Verizon Communications, which are deploying video services that will compete with cable companies. The network neutrality provisions face the chopping block for several reasons. There are not enough days left in the congressional session to reach agreement, sources said. And some committee members think net neutrality should be addressed by the FCC, although the agency's authority in that area is unclear. Instead of a comprehensive bill, the committee now is expected to adopt Verizon's idea for a streamlined telecom measure primarily addressing video franchising. The bill would place new video competitors under FCC authority when they enter markets. New entrants would pay franchise fees and fulfill other obligations but would not negotiate with localities. Once a new entrant has reached a threshold of 15 percent market penetration, the dominant cable provider would be subject to the same deregulation. The measure could be debated in March by the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee. The streamlined bill also would include language requiring providers of Internet telephone service to offer "enhanced 911" emergency service, sources said.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-QMEV1140551282296.html

See also --
* Fight brewing in Congress over net neutrality
http://www.computerworld.com/governmenttopics/government/policy/story/0,10801,108885,00.html?source=x10