Route To Network Neutrality Uncharted And Controversial

ROUTE TO NETWORK NEUTRALITY IS UNCHARTERED AND CONTROVERSIAL, REPORT SAYS
[SOURCE: Standard & Poor's press release]
The route toward network neutrality in which consumers enjoy broadband Internet access unhindered by connectivity, hardware, and software issues is uncharted and controversial, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said in an article on the U.S. telecommunications sector. "Given that network neutrality is an evolving and largely untested concept, the degree of potential future Internet-related regulation is likely to depend greatly on providers' behavior over the next year or two as they roll out advanced networks and services," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Catherine Cosentino. The article, "Path To Network Neutrality Is Uncharted -- And Controversial," was published June 13, 2006, on RatingsDirect. It is part of Standard & Poor's Special Report on the U.S. telecom industry that will be published in the June 21, 2006, issue of CreditWeek, the weekly magazine on credit risk. "In light of the politically charged and high-profile nature of the debate over network neutrality, our view is that both cable TV and telephone companies are not likely to engage in practices that would prompt additional regulatory oversight by the FCC through existing or new legislation," Ms. Cosentino said in the article.
http://www2.standardandpoors.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=sp/sp_article/ArticleTemplate&c=sp_article&cid=1145762129066&s=&ig=&b=2&dct=4