FTC ISSUES STAFF REPORT ON BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY COMPETITION POLICY [SOURCE: Federal Trade Commission 6/27] The Federal Trade Commissions Internet Access Task Force issued a report, Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy, which summarizes the Task Forces findings in the area of broadband Internet connectivity and, in particular, so-called network neutrality regulation. Based on these findings, and FTC staffs experience with the operation of myriad markets throughout the economy, the report identifies guiding principles that policy makers should consider in evaluating proposed regulations or legislation relating to broadband Internet access and network neutrality. According to Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, This report recommends that policy makers proceed with caution in the evolving, dynamic industry of broadband Internet access, which generally is moving toward more not less competition. In the absence of significant market failure or demonstrated consumer harm, policy makers should be particularly hesitant to enact new regulation in this area. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/06/broadband.shtm * F.T.C. Urges Caution on Net Neutrality [SOURCE: New York Times 6/27] http://select.nytimes.com/mem/tnt.html?emc=tnt&tntget=2007/06/28/technology/28net.html&tntemail0=y (requires registration) * FTC is neutral on net neutrality [SOURCE: Washington Post 6/27] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/27/AR2007062703002.html (requires registration) * FTC Stance Against Rules Cheers Broadband Firms http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118297442020150521.html?mod=googlenews_wsj (requires subscription) * How the FTC Mangled Net Neutrality [Commentary] Every once in a while, it's a useful exercise to look under the hood and to see how those facile conclusions in the headlines about the FTC urging caution on Net Neutrality were derived. Just a warning -- it's not pretty. http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2007/jun/28/how_the_ftc_mangled_net_neutrality * FTC Report on Broadband Resurrects Freedom of Service Information http://www.drewclark.com/2007/07/ftc-report-on-broadband-resurrects.shtml * Center for Public Integrity Spearheads Efforts to Disclose Broadband Data The Center for Public Integrity's efforts to shed light on local Internet availability are having an impact in the legislative and regulatory debate over broadband. For example, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, last month introduced S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. The bill would require the FCC to supplement the information it currently collects about broadband deployment with more localized data, including ZIP code plus four digits. It calls for the creation of online maps showing the availability of high-speed Internet services at the census-block level. The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., released similar draft legislation in May. It would require the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration to create and publicize a nationwide map in which a broadband provider's service locations could be searched in detail. The debate around this topic has led other government, non-profit and business-led efforts to take notice. The FCC is currently reconsidering its data-collection policies for broadband. Agencies including the NTIA and the Federal Trade Commission are also considering getting involved. http://www.publicintegrity.org/telecom/report.aspx?aid=886 * The Battle To Map American Broadband http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/The-Battle-To-Map-American-Broadband-85293
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