Net Neutrality Proponents Claim Victory, Prepare For Next Battle

[OhioChick]

Congress failed to act on COPE Act before the session ended Saturday, but proponents and opponents will gear up for a renewed fight next year.

By K.C. Jones
InformationWeek

Dec 11, 2006 01:57 PM

A bill that would have allowed telecommunications and cable companies to prioritize Internet content by allowing higher-speed information delivery for higher-paying customers, has died.

The 109th Congress closed early Saturday morning without action on the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006. A broad coalition that has been arguing for federal laws to protect the Internet as a level playing field instead of a two-tiered system, celebrated a victory.

The group, Save The Internet, is also gearing up to continue lobbying for network neutrality when the 110th Congress convenes. Proponents of legislation supporting "net neutrality" said Friday that they anticipate support from a Democratic majority, but heavy lobbying on behalf of telecommunications companies.

COPE would have allowed the Federal Communications Commission to decide whether companies were giving equal treatment to data on the Internet.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196603104

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. ding dong! the bill is dead!

for now, anyway. :)

[Mythsaje]

2. Net Neutrality is paramount!

The net saved us this time around...we can't let these scumbags take it over.

Throw those Telecom lobbyists out of D.C. and make them WORK for a living.

[Vidar]

3. Great news.