Net Neutrality fight Returns to Senate

NET NEUTRALITY FIGHT RETURNS TO SENATE
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
The political tussle over Net neutrality shifted back to the Senate's turf Tuesday, taking center stage at the last public hearing before a mammoth communications bill goes up for a preliminary vote. As leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee continue negotiations over how to deal with the controversial concept, committee members and witnesses from advocacy groups took turns airing their positions yet again. It would be a tragedy for our nation if Net neutrality is the basis for which this entire bill is taken down, and that's a very real possibility, the way I see this bill shaping up," said Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR). Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican, said he was confident that the politicians would reach a compromise but that they should favor a light regulatory touch. "We ought to talk about the FCC having the right to deal with Net neutrality issues that affect consumers," he said, echoing remarks made last week. "When it comes to interfering with the marketplace in terms of major investments of capital, I think we should step away." "What would be the impact with no legislation?" Sen Daniel Inouye (D-HI) asked Ben Scott, policy director for the liberal advocacy group Free Press, who testified on a panel before the politicians. "A structural change in the Internet which would, for better or for worse, change the way the Internet works," Scott replied, adding that nondiscrimination has been a "cornerstone" of Internet policy since the technology's birth. Major network operators from the telecommunications and cable industries, the wireless and hardware sectors, and Wall Street interests have mobilized against that Net Neutrality, saying new regulations are premature and could stifle investment in new infrastructure. "There are existing procedures at the FCC and in antitrust law to deal with anticompetitive issues," said John Rutledge, a consultant for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a pro-business lobbying organization. "I think the idea of trying to stop change or control prices is a (recipe) for disaster." Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) scoffed at that notion, saying attempts at enforcing antitrust laws "make glaciers look like they're speeding."
http://news.com.com/Net+neutrality+fight+returns+to+Senate/2100-1028_3-6083297.html?tag=nefd.top

* Senate chairman vows to fight net neutrality regulation
[SOURCE: IDG News Service, AUTHOR: Grant Gross]
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said Tuesday he would not allow broadband providers to be regulated like large telephone carriers were in the past, despite calls for a law prohibiting broadband providers from blocking or slowing some Internet traffic. Net neutrality backers want a return to "common carrier" requirements, in which telecom carriers were required to give all customers the same service and standard rates, Sen Stevens said during a hearing on a communications reform bill. "We're not going to do that," said Stevens. His comments came after some committee Democrats and witness Ben Scott, policy director of advocacy group Free Press, called for stronger net neutrality rules in a Stevens bill. His proposal would overhaul telecom regulations and streamline local franchising requirements for telecom providers looking to offer television services over Internet Protocol, in competition with cable TV.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/06/13/79254_HNchairnetneut_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/06/13/79254_HNchairnetn...

* Senate Telecom Debate Hints Consensus Will Be Tough To Reach
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-HQEJ1150311779816.html

* Free Press asks Senate to Save Net Neutrality, Ensure Universal Access to New Networks
http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=151