Network Neutrality Debate Postponed

The fate of the Senate's video franchise/telecom reform bill grew cloudier Thursday as votes on a raft of amendments were put off until next week and Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) reportedly questioned whether he had the votes to block a filibuster on the floor. Thursday's markup of a bill that would streamline the video franchising process was expected to go deep into the day but ended after only a couple of hours. Sen Stevens had also suggested it might re-start Friday morning, but with no floor votes scheduled for Friday and some Senators' travel plans already made, according to a staffer, he postponed further action on the bill until Tuesday June 27. The most contentious of close to 100 amendments that may be considered is one toughening network neutrality rules. Big computer companies want specific regulations preventing networks from blocking sites or favoring their own content or that of content providers who pay up for preferred service.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6346446?display=Breaking+News
* Senate Panel Delays Neutrality Vote
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6346440.html?display=Breaking+News
* Panel Tackles Internet Phone Regulations
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-IOCE1151058862878.html
See also:
* No Neutral Ground in This Internet Battle
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/25/AR2006062500735.html
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