[IP] more on FCC official:Fast web content rules not needed now

[Dave Farber <dave@farber.net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Bob Hinden <hinden@IPRG.nokia.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 08:33:23 -0700
To: dave@farber.net
Cc: hinden@IPRG.nokia.com
Subject: Re: [IP] FCC official:Fast web content rules not needed now

Dave,

If this kind of thing is allowed to become prevalent, it will be very bad
for everyone.  I hope it is taken care of by customers not putting up with
this.

A simple comparison, what this is like calling the toll free number for
Sears because I want buy something, have having the phone company redirect
the call to Walmart because they have a deal with Wallmart.  It breaks the
whole utility of the network.

Talk about killing the goose that lays the golden eggs....

Bob


At 05:54 PM 6/27/2003, Dave Farber wrote:

>------ Forwarded Message
>From: John Adams <jadams01@sprynet.com>
>Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 18:12:06 -0400
>To: dave@farber.net
>Subject: For IP: FCC official:Fast web content rules not needed now
>
>http://www.forbes.com/newswire/2003/06/27/rtr1014121.html
>
>FCC official:Fast web content rules not needed now
>Reuters, 06.27.03, 5:40 PM ET
>
>By Jeremy Pelofsky
>
>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - There is no need for the Federal Communications
>Commission to adopt rules now to address brewing concerns that
>high-speed Internet providers will favor some Web sites over others, an
>agency official said Friday.
>
>The FCC has been debating whether such rules are necessary amid fears
>that consumers could be blocked from going to sites that do not have a
>business relationship with their Internet provider, whether it's a
>cable or telecommunications company.
>
>"It is not entirely clear why a regulatory openness mandate is such an
>imperative right now," said Kenneth Ferree, head of the FCC's media
>bureau which regulates cable operators.
>
>"There seem to be powerful market incentives already for broadband
>providers to make their systems consumer-friendly, that is to ensure
>their networks are largely open," Ferree told the Progress & Freedom
>Foundation conference.
>
>He warned that such restrictions could hurt investment and innovation
>of the Internet. Almost 20 million homes and businesses had broadband
>service at the end of 2002, with 57 percent getting it from a cable
>provider.
>
>A group of high-profile companies, like Microsoft Corp. and Apple
>Computer Inc. , lobbied the FCC to ensure that consumers can move
>around the Internet without limits imposed by their service providers.
>
>"The threat of discrimination against content undermines investment and
>chills innovation," said Consumer Federation of America research
>director Mark Cooper. "We cannot risk having the monopolist destroy the
>innovative environment of the Internet, it's just too big of a risk to
>the public interest."
>
>Ferree said he was not sure the agency had a legal basis to regulate
>Internet content and noted that antitrust enforcers could take steps if
>Internet services attempt to use market power to harm rivals or aid
>business partners.
>
>The FCC does not directly regulate the Internet but since it uses cable
>and telephone lines, some have argued that such transmission gives the
>agency jurisdiction.
>
>Cable and telephone companies have argued the government's role should
>be limited to encourage fast deployment. Consumer groups and content
>providers have countered that the FCC should ensure choice of providers
>and content regardless of pipeline.
>
>Ferree said his recommendation to the five FCC commissioners on the
>issue is almost done but he could not provide a timeline for when they
>would consider it because a similar plan from the bureau that regulates
>telephone carriers has not yet been completed.
>
>Verizon Communications , the No. 2 telecommunications provider of
>digital subscriber line (DSL) service, said it would not prevent its
>customers from roaming freely.
>
>"A competitive market will ensure that all content providers ... will
>be able to reach any Internet-connected customer without interference
>from software, hardware or access providers, regardless of
>affiliation," Tom Tauke, Verizon's vice president for public policy,
>told the conference.
>
>Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service
>
>
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