Sen. Stevens offers Deal on Net Neutrality

SEN STEVENS OFFERS DEAL ON NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens has offered a compromise in the fierce fight over legislation on Internet network neutrality, but stopped short of demands sought by content companies like Google. Sen Stevens has added a new section to his bill aimed at preserving consumers' ability to surf anywhere on the public Internet and use any Web-based application. However, the new draft does not include a ban on pricing content companies have demanded. Sen Stevens' compromise would also create a complaint process through the FCC if consumers believe their access rights were violated and the agency would be authorized to adjudicate complaints with penalties, according to the draft. However, the FCC would be barred from issuing any regulations under the new law that would add to the obligations on Internet service providers. The compromise is somewhat similar to legislation that passed the House of Representatives. However, there are other differences between the House and Senate that would have to be resolved. Earlier versions of the Stevens bill only called for the Federal Communications Commission to report on Internet access, prompting Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, the top Democrat on the committee, and some others to call for more protections. Striking a compromise would likely make it easier for the bill to pass this year. The Senate committee is scheduled to consider amendments and vote on the measure at a meeting on Thursday.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2006-06-18T201313Z_01_N18301011_RTRUKOC_0_US-CONGRESS-INTERNET-NEUTRA...

* Stevens Floats New Net Neutrality Compromise
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6344840.html?display=Breaking+News

** For more on the bill see http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/2173