Kerry: Net-neutrality legislation unlikely, FCC must act

[ProSense]

Source: The Hill

A congressional stalemate has made passage of a net-neutrality bill unlikely for the time being, according to a statement from Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on Thursday. Kerry said regulation by the Federal Communications Commission is now the best option for government oversight of broadband Internet access.

“As we work to find a path forward for governing broadband, Congressional stalemate is making a legislative solution look increasingly unlikely in the near term," Kerry said. "As a result, Chairman Genachowski is now moving forward along a regulatory path. While this is an imperfect solution, it’s his only real option to maintain the proper role of government oversight in communications."

Kerry's statement comes soon after the FCC announced it will cancel the latest round of talks between broadband stakeholders because they had failed generate a framework to preserve the openness of the Internet. Two of those stakeholders, Google and Verizon, are reportedly close to their own agreement that has seemingly undermined the FCC's negotiations.

S. Derek Turner, research director for the public interest group Free Press, said his organization welcomed the dissolution of the talks because of their closed-door nature. He encouraged the FCC to take decisive action to protect Internet users by pushing forward clear net-neutrality rules. Kerry, a strong supporter of net neutrality himself, also encouraged the FCC to take action using its regulatory authority.



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/112935-kerry-net-neutrality-legislation-unlikely-fcc-must-act

[SILVER__FOX52]

1. God Damn it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get something done.

[boppers]

2. Uh, Kerry? The FCC *did* act.

The courts then found that the FCC needed congressional authority to take control over privately owned and operated networks.

[ProSense]

3. I think Senator Kerry is

aware of the court decision: Kerry on FCC Court Case:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, today released a statement following a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacks the authority to oversee internet traffic restrictions by internet providers like Comcast.

“This is a history-making decision. It appears to vacate the authority of the FCC to conduct oversight over broadband service and the telephone and cable giants that own the wires,” said Sen. Kerry. “I am not advocating that the FCC reclassify broadband services as a result of this decision, but I absolutely believe they maintain that legal authority and it would be entirely consistent with the history of communications law in our country if they did. In fact, in cases involving FCC classification of services, the Supreme Court has always deferred to the agency. It is likely to continue doing so if the agency reversed and provided a strong rationale for updating the Bush era classification of broadband service.

“Broadband was in its nascent stages when the Bush Administration established its policy, but is now an integral part of our economy, the way we communicate, and our daily lives. Without oversight, market giants would be free to do as they wish even if their actions hindered the free flow of information, treated consumers unfairly, or discriminated against content creators. In the long run, we may need a new legal and regulatory framework for broadband, especially if reclassifying broadband as a telecommunications service proves too difficult to administer. I am willing to work with all interested parties on the construction of that framework. But the FCC can and must continue the role it has always played protecting consumers and encouraging the deployment of networks through the development of every communications technology, from the telephone to radio and television to wireless communications.

“I was a member of the Senate Commerce Committee during consideration of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. I know the Congress did not intend for cable and telephone broadband internet service providers to fall outside the authority of the FCC to protect consumers, protect against discrimination, provide public safety officials with priority access to service, ensure that people with disabilities are given consideration, or ensure that modern communications are available to everyone in America.”

[boppers]

4. "provide public safety officials with priority access to service" LOL

Thanks for digging up that gem, it's a funny one.

So, Kerry urges the FCC to act, it does, the courts say no, go to congress, Kerry says no deal in congress, the FCC should do it?

That seems a tad loopy.

[ProSense]

5. The FCC was in the process of acting

but abandoned the effort today. Please get the facts straight.

[tkmorris]

6. I'm not sure they "abandoned" the effort

It seems that they have decided that further meetings with the telecoms are pointless, not necessarily that there is nothing they can do.