Senate Commerce Committee to Revisit Net Neutrality Proposal

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO REVISIT NET NEUTRALITY PROPOSAL
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
Net neutrality provisions criticized by Internet companies in a sweeping Senate proposal could be getting a makeover. Senate Commerce Committee Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said Wednesday that he plans to release a revised version of his committee's broad communications bill because "many members do not believe that the (Net neutrality) provision in the existing bill goes far enough." Addressing about 300 cable industry representatives at the start of a summit organized by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Sen Stevens said he is still working with one major critic -- Sen. Daniel Inouye, the committee's top Democrat -- on new language that should be available later this week. A hearing on the revised version is scheduled for June 13. Sen Stevens said Wednesday that he still has reservations about issuing sweeping regulations "before Congress really knows what the problem is." He said the revision would be focused on "protecting the needs and rights of consumers, preserving network management and stimulating commercial interaction between companies" but was unable to supply additional details. The senator told reporters after his speech that he didn't plan to give the FCC the power to make new rules on the subject, though the Commission would be given the power to take enforcement action related to consumer complaints. If that's the case, the revised Senate bill could end up taking a similar approach to its House of Representatives counterpart, which authorizes the FCC to police violations of its broadband use principles and levy fines if appropriate but bars the regulators from making new rules. That technique has earned deep disapproval from Net neutrality fans, who say it doesn't do enough to ward off discriminatory tactics by network operators.
http://news.com.com/Senate+panel+to+revisit+Net+neutrality+proposal/2100...

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