Broadband, Content Firms Fight over Net Neutrality

[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
High-speed Internet providers and Internet content companies clashed before lawmakers on Tuesday, in a dispute over whether a law enshrining the right to surf anywhere on the Web would help or harm consumers. Representatives of local telephone and cable companies that offer fast Internet access, known as broadband, said passing a new law could stymie innovation while companies like Google said that could happen without legislation. Broadband providers have largely pledged that consumers will be able to access any Internet site. But some also said they may charge more for services that use faster private Internet networks, like downloading movies. In the middle were lawmakers who were divided and uncertain about whether they should act. Republicans and Democrats both expressed support for unfettered Internet surfing, but a few Republicans cautioned about legislating too quickly.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&story...

There's a good deal of coverage, here's some other articles --

* 'Net Neutrality' Debate Heats Up at Senate Hearing
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113937487289668158.html?mod=todays_us_ma...
(requires subscription)

* Politicos divided on need for 'net neutrality' mandate
http://news.com.com/Politicos+divided+on+need+for+net+neutrality+mandate...

* Ensuring Open Internet an Issue Before Congress
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=10019...

* Network Neutrality Hearing Reactions
http://mediapolicy.blogspot.com/

* Links to testimony
http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=1705

From 2/9/06 --

* Telecom, Cable Firms Push For Flexibility In 'Net Neutrality' Model
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
A recap of the Senate Commerce Committee hearing.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-TCHR1139432623611.html

* Battle Lines Drawn in Net Neutrality Debate
[SOURCE: newsfactor.com, AUTHOR: Jay Wrolstad]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20060208/tc_nf/41517

* Senate looks at network neutrality and likes it
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060208-6139.html

* Senators Mull an Internet With Restrictions
[SOURCE: The Nation, AUTHOR: Celia Viggo Wexler & Dawn Holian]
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060220/wexler

* Lawmakers struggle with how neutral networks should be
http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/38223-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS