Comments on: Wyden to Block Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality

By: SeanFMeagher

SeanFMeagher — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:01:06 +0000

This website needs to be updated, seriously. The Commerce Committee passed S 2686 on June 28th, 2006; this bill removes regulatory barriers that keep the private sector from investing in infrastructure and preserves consumer Internet experiences.

The bill includes an extensive section entitled the “Internet Consumer Bill of Rights.” Under this section, Internet service providers would be required, with limited exceptions, to allow consumers access to: 1) any lawful internet content 2) any web page of consumers’ choosing 3) any voice application, software, or service 4) any video application, software, or service 5) any email application, software, or service 6) any search engine of the consumers’ choosing; and 7) any other application, software, or service.

Moreover, consumers would be free to connect any legal device to the broadband network, as long as it does not cause harm to the network, and they would receive clear and conspicuous information about their broadband service. The FCC would be given extensive authority to adjudicate any complaints involving a violation of these provisions and take swift enforcement action.

By: Kerry, Wyden, and the now polarized Net Neutrality fight

Kerry, Wyden, and the now polarized Net Neutrality fight — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:02:59 +0000

[…] I’m happy that there has been progress on the Network Neutrality issue since Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has placed a Hold on the telecommunications legislation recently approved in committee. It’s also very encouraging that folks with prominence in the senate, like Senator Kerryare now speaking out on the issue. Having said all that, I’m much less happy about the way this thing is shaping up on the Senate Floor. Among the American People the fight is bipartisan, with right wing and left wing amazingly coming together to fight for internet neutrality, but in the Senate it appears now to be a fight divided right down the party line, with only a few exceptions. […]

By: Bricolage Fantasy » Weekend Note

Bricolage Fantasy » Weekend Note — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 03:15:40 +0000

[…] Important to all mp3 blog. Wyden to Block Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality. “The bill makes a number of major changes in the country’s telecommunications law but there is one provision that is nothing more than a license to discriminate. Without a clear policy preserving the neutrality of the Internet and without tough sanctions against those who would discriminate, the Internet will be forever changed for the worse.” […]

By: Weblogg-ed » Time to be Heard on Net Neutrality

Weblogg-ed » Time to be Heard on Net Neutrality — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 09:26:27 +0000

[…] Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has put a hold on the bill, intending to fillibuster it. But it’s uncertain whether or not the opposition has the votes to break it. Wyden says: The Internet has thrived precisely because it is neutral. It has thrived because consumers, and not some giant cable or phone company, get to choose what they want to see and how quickly they get to see it. I am not going to allow a bill to go forward that is going to end surfing the web free of discrimination. […]

By: Cmg3

Cmg3 — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:00:46 +0000

I hate to be the pessimistic Chicken Little of this organization, but what do you guys think our chances are now?

By: BambisMusings - Musings from a little deer? » State governments push for Net neutrality laws

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 17:01:06 +0000

[…] EDIT: Save the Internet.com: Wyden to Block Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality - Some great comments there like this ones: Immediately following the Commerce Committee’s vote against a Net Neutrality amendment, Senator Wyden marched onto the floor of the Senate to demand that the legislation include stronger safeguards against phone and cable company discrimination. […]

By: midphase affiliate blog » Go Senator Wyden!

midphase affiliate blog » Go Senator Wyden! — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:40:47 +0000

[…] Wyden to Block Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality […]

By: dushman

dushman — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:37:56 +0000

Three words: Oh, hell yeah!

By: The Real Paul Jones » Tie vote scuttles Net Neutrality (for now)

The Real Paul Jones » Tie vote scuttles Net Neutrality (for now) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:23:59 +0000

[…] UPDATE: Senator Wyden puts hold on Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality. […]

By: netjunkie

netjunkie — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 12:54:20 +0000

After following this issue both here, in the media and other blogs, I have come to a simple conclusion: There will never be “net neutrality.” There will not be a telecom bill in this session of Congress due to the contentiousness of the net neutrality issue — it is no longer about policy, it’s all about politics. And even when the Democrats take control of either the House, the Senate or both, Republicans will not allow what they consider to be a “radical” net neutrality bill pass. Wyden puts a hold on the legislation this year, DeMint puts a hold on the legislation next year, and so on, and so on, and so on. And in the House, a large number of Democrats actually voted AGAINST strong net neutrality language, despite the efforts of Leader Pelosi and others.

And lets suppose that Congress DOES pass strong net neutrality legislation: You can bet that lawfirms representing the providers are salivating at the prospect because this will be tied up in the courts for years.

In the meantime, the telcos, cable and wireless providers continue to grow, cut deals with content providers and the prospect of an Internet unprotected by net neutrality legislation becomes a reality.

As is so often the case, a good policy issue has become a polarizing political issue. Fight the good fight, but at this point it appears we’re just shadow boxing.