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"Net neutrality" rules begin to take shape |
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Written by Network News Journal Staff
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Thursday, 22 October 2009 |
UNITED STATES FEDERAL REGULATORS took giant leap forward today toward prohibiting broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain kinds of Internet traffic. The Federal Communications Commission voted in favor of writing "network neutrality" regulations to prevent phone and cable companies from abusing their control over the market for broadband access. After a five-year debate, which has pitted Internet companies against some of the biggest phone and cable companies, the FCC proceedings have allowed the drafting of regulations to move forward. Although broadband providers continue to insist they need flexibility, free from government intervention, to keep their networks running smoothly, they also warn that net neutrality regulations would discourage them from expanding and upgrading their networks. |