Net Neutrality Debate Spreads To Wireless

NET NEUTRALITY DEBATE SPREADS TO WIRELESS
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
The network neutrality debate that has focused for the past two years on maintaining an open Internet is expanding to a new battlefield: wireless mobile services. In a newly released paper, Columbia University Law School Professor Tim Wu sounded the alarm about the ability of consumers to use devices of their choosing on cellular networks now limited to proprietary equipment. Wu emphasized that the FCC's "Carterfone" rules, which let consumers connect various gadgets to wired telephone networks, do not apply in the wireless arena. "These controls continue to affect innovation and the development of new devices and applications for wireless networks," he wrote. Until now, net neutrality, the concept of requiring cable- and phone-based high-speed Internet providers to treat content equally, has mostly concerned mandating non-discriminatory Internet access. But reflecting the rapidly changing technology universe, the debate now encompasses the ability to connect devices and software unaffiliated with wireless carriers. Wu's concerns have galvanized at least one company -- the Internet telephony provider Skype -- to weigh in on the issue. Last week, Skype asked the FCC to initiate a rulemaking detailing consumer rights governing wireless systems.
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