GOP Senators Express Net Neutrality Concerns to Genachowski

Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on October 14, 2009

Some Senate Republicans are asking FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to tone down his net neutrality proposal. In a letter sent yesterday, eighteen Senators wrote that the suggested regulations would be "counterproductive and risk harming the great advancements in broadband speed and deployment." FCC Commissioners are expected to vote on this issue on October 22. If the rules pass, the public would have an opportunity to provide comments on them before the rules became permanent.

Genachowski's proposal would ensure that Internet providers could not discriminate against any legal traffic on the net. However, sources familiar with the draft say that providers would be eligible for exemptions for premium services, like private data networks or pay-TV services. Cable and phone companies have already expressed concerns that a new net neutrality policy would result in onerous government regulations for their industry. USTelecom President Walter McCormick said the "more prescriptive the government approach, the less innovation will be available for consumers."

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		GOP Senators Express Net Neutrality Concerns to Genachowski Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on October 14, 2009 Some Senate Republicans are asking FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to tone down his net neutrality proposal. In a letter sent yesterday, eighteen Senators wrote that the suggested regulations would be "counterproductive and risk harming the great advancements in broadband speed and deployment." FCC Commissioners are expected to vote on this issue on October 22. If the rules pass, the public would have an opportunity to provide comments on them before the rules became permanent. Genachowski's proposal would ensure that Internet providers could not discriminate against any legal traffic on the net. However, sources familiar with the draft say that providers would be eligible for exemptions for premium services, like private data networks or pay-TV services. Cable and phone companies have already expressed concerns that a new net neutrality policy would result in onerous government regulations for their industry. USTelecom President Walter McCormick said the "more prescriptive the government approach, the less innovation will be available for consumers." Washington Update \| FCC \| Genachowski \| Network neutrality Anna's blog Login or register to post comments 11 reads
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