White House Passing On The Latest Net Neutrality Debate

President Barack Obama ran for president as a vocal supporter of "net neutrality," the principle that Internet providers should deliver all varieties of online content at equal speeds. But in response to a proposal by Google and Verizon to allow preferential content speeds over wireless and broadband, the Obama White House has decided to keep quiet.

The reason, say White House aides, is the ongoing the Federal Communications Commission reviews of the issue. "The President supports an open Internet that drives innovation, investment, free speech and consumer choice," said White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage, though she declined to say whether the Google-Verizon proposal met that standard. "We support the FCC's process to establish balanced, sound and enforceable rules in this area." Another White House aide said that, while the White House did not want to interfere with the deliberations of the FCC, an independent agency, it was important that any final FCC rule address wireless and managed services, two of the issues raised by Google and Verizon.