AT&T: Anti-Discrimination Rule Could Hinder Innovation

A hard and fast rule that prohibits Internet service providers from discriminating between content providers could "inadvertently limit the availability of creative and innovative services that consumers may want to purchase," AT&T argues in its latest statement about proposed neutrality regulations. In a letter submitted today to the Federal Communications Commission, the telecom argues that ISPs and Web companies should be free to enter into "voluntary" agreements "for the paid provision of certain value-added broadband services." AT&T adds that rather than a "strict nondiscrimination" rule, the FCC should instead focus on "unreasonable and anticompetitive" forms of discrimination. Broadband advocates were unimpressed with the telecom's stance.