Network Neutrality

Here are some of the highlights of the National broadband Plan that appear most critical to the telecommunications industry, based on a preliminary review of the plan.

Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell had some reminders and some cautions when commenting on the National Broadband Plan.

As the head of the National telecommunications and Information Administration Federal Communications Commission, current Federal Communications Commission member Meredith Baker oversaw the creation of a 2008 report, Networked Nation, which looked at the policies and status of competition of broadband. As that report did, Commissioner Baker noted the light-touch targeted regulatory regime in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations.

Does the Federal Communications Commission have the authority it needs to enact major portions of the National Broadband Plan? Without a "cop on the beat," the fate of broadband consumer protection regulations such as privacy, transparency and emergency communications will be at risk, as will other initiatives to ensure great access to broadband and greater adoption of broadband by the disadvantaged.

Under Chairman Julius Genachowski, Al Gore's old friends at the Federal Communications Commission are out to reinvent the Internet.

Health care isn't the only policy arena in which the Obama Administration aims to ram through controversial new rules. The Federal Communications Commission is set to unveil a "national broadband plan" opposed by industry and without any of the five commissioners voting on it.

Rep Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the ranking Republican on the House Communications Subcommittee, has sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski saying he hopes the National Broadband Plan will not be "littered with hidden agendas" to pave the way for network neutrality, Title II reclassification and spectrum auction conditions.

In an appearance in Seattle, former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin noted that when it comes to open access to wireless networks, the government is now more concerned about the obstructionist role that handset makers like Apple or Google play, than it is about the behavior of the wireless networks.

Public interest group Free Press is calling on its members to contact Members of Congress and ask that they block the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal.

Issues similar to "reasonable network management" come up in the context of wiretaps and specifically the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.