[LINK] Net neutrality

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Should Australia consider a net neutrality law?

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Democrats revive another Net neutrality proposal
Posted by Anne Broache  May 8, 2008 12:16 PM PDT

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9939443-7.html?tag=nefd.top

The only Net neutrality proposal to encounter some measure of success in 
the U.S. Congress is back again for another try. 

As foreshadowed at a March hearing, House Judiciary Committee Chairman 
John Conyers on Thursday reintroduced the Internet Freedom and Non-
discrimination Act which passed by a 20-13 vote in the same committee in 
2006. 

Rep. Zoe Lofgren is co-sponsoring the bill, but so far, it is not clear 
whether any Republicans have signed on. 

Just like last time, the bill would rewrite U.S. antitrust law to prohibit 
network operators like AT&T and Comcast from blocking, impairing, or 
discriminating against "lawful" Internet content, applications, and 
services or charging extra fees for "prioritization or enhanced quality of 
service." 

"The Internet was designed without centralized control, without 
gatekeepers for content and services," Conyers said in a statement. 

"If we allow companies with monopoly or duopoly power to control how the 
Internet operates, network providers could have the power to choose what 
content is available." 

The five-page measure would provide exceptions for things like "reasonable 
and nondiscriminatory" network management necessary to keep the network 
running smoothly and compliance with other laws and court orders. 

Net neutrality, of course, is the idea that network operators shouldn't be 
allowed to prioritize information that rides on their pipes. 

Advocates of legislation--including Google, Amazon.com, eBay, and a 
variety of consumer advocacy groups--argue rules are necessary to keep the 
Internet free, open, and democratic, so that small start-ups can be on a 
level playing field with more established companies. 

Network operators, by contrast, say new rules will stifle investments in 
new broadband networks and deprive them of the flexibility they need to 
keep their services running smoothly. 
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