Network World reports that some people in the US are arguing that any economic stimulus funding for broadband service expansion should be tied to strong net neutrality commitments.
the stimulus legislation says that any networks built with the funds must adhere to the “nondiscrimination and network interconnection obligations” that the Federal Communications Commission first outlined in 2005. These principles state that networks must allow users to access any lawful Internet content of their choice, to run any legal Web applications of their choice, and to connect to the network using any device that does not harm the network. Additionally, the principles state that consumers are “entitled to competition among network providers, application and service providers and content providers.”
However, some net neutrality advocates argued during the debate Monday that these principles are not written strongly enough to specifically bar networks from slowing down competitors’ content in favor of their own.
We have two relevant sessions at The 2009 Canadian Telecom Summit in June. On June 15, we have a panel looking at building broadband networks – what issues are there for universal service. The panel includes Ian Collins (Cogeco Data Services), Mike Dixon (Motorola), John Maduri (Barrett Xplore), Derek Slater (Google) and Robert Watson (SaskTel). On June 16, we are taking an in depth look at the Net Neutrality debate in Canada, with Mike Lee (Rogers), Chris Libertelli (Skype) and Dave Caputo (Sandvine).
Have you registered yet to attend Canada’s leading telecom industry event?
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net neutrality, broadband, Canadian Telecom Summit