Network Neutrality Provisions Unnecessary, BellSouth Says

[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: Chloe Albanesius]
Provisions in recent draft telecommunications legislation about the ability of cable or telecommunications companies to block high-speed Internet traffic are acceptable -- but unnecessary, say BellSouth's vice president of governmental affairs Herschel Abbott and Chief Technology Officer Bill Smith. BellSouth has "no intention" of telling users which Web sites they can visit, Smith said, adding that users “should be able to go [anywhere] or do anything online. We have a very competitive situation with cable. If we restrict [access, digital subscriber-line] customers would defect to cable in droves." Smith did advocate priority service for those companies that enter into commercial agreements.” Without the ability to prioritize, we can't deliver a viable service," he said. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., ranking member on the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, wants to tighten the definition of network neutrality to require that cable and Bell telecom companies not discriminate against the content of competing communications providers using their networks. Smith said an "inability to prioritize ... makes it unviable to deliver video signals." Abbott predicted that the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee would pass the telecom reform bill "before the House goes home for the year."
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-JEAV1133469048556.html