Faced with 'Convergence', FCC Takes Closer Look at Internet Access Via cable

Ten years ago, the Federal Communications Commission was asking, "Is Internet over cable a 'cable service,' a 'telecommunications service' or an 'information service'?" A working paper released by the FCC began to address this question and how the agency should approach regulation. The paper was meant to begin a discussion between branches of the government and industry. "The whole point," said the paper's author, "is to say, hey, we've got this problem, and it's a big problem. When you have the capability the Internet provides -- now you can do almost anything over one medium -- you have to start thinking which rules are applicable, or whether any of our rules are applicable at all."