Net Neutrality Opposition Stopped — For Now

Written on September 24th, 2009 by ADMIN

Senate Republicans have ceased efforts to block FCC funding in protest of proposed net neutrality laws after receiving persuasive phone calls from FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and his staff.

Earlier this week, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) said she planned to propose an amendment to an interior appropriations bill that would ultimately hamstring funding allocated to the FCC used for implementing new regulatory mandates. Senators John Ensign (R-Nev.), Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), David Vitter (R-La.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) co-sponsored the bill.

Republicans told The Washington Post that they were compelled to reconsider the move after receiving a call from Genachowski and his staff, who contended that thwarting the FCC’s decision could hurt network operators.

Rebecca Arbogast, head of technology policy research at Stifel Nicholas, said there was no chance the proposed amendment to a spending bill would pass.

“While we are still generally opposed to net neutrality regulations, we have decided to hold off on the amendment because [FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski] approached us and we are beginning a dialogue,” a committee staff member said, according to The Washington Post.

The FCC will spend months gathering public ideas and concerns. The final set of rules could recognize differences between broadband and mobile delivery while protecting an open and free Internet that offers consumer choice and inspires entrepreneurship. The FCC’s proposals don’t, however, get into pricing plans, leaving open the option for ISPs to charge based on data consumption. Carriers will likely to be able to impose usage caps.