Net Neutrality Rules Added To Stimulus Bill
Kevin Bogardus in The Hill:
Net neutrality rules in stimulus trigger backlash
Open Internet access rules added to the stimulus package threaten the tentative partnership between technology and telecom companies, which have coalesced behind the bill’s $6 billion funding for broadband access.
Conditions inserted into draft legislation released by the House Appropriations Committee state that companies applying for broadband grants must adhere to a 2005 policy statement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that says consumers should access the Internet with no controls placed on their web traffic or content. In addition, another provision calls upon the FCC to define what “open access” to the Internet is within 45 days after the stimulus bill has become law.
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Julius Genachowski, a Harvard Law School classmate of Obama’s and successful tech executive, will reportedly be the new FCC chairman. Genachowski was a key adviser for Obama’s tech policy.
On the campaign trail for the presidency, Obama was the most aggressive of all the candidates in formulating his tech policy. The then-Illinois senator heavily backed net neutrality, differing from his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), but earning praise and support from Silicon Valley.
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"Net Neutrality Rules Added To Stimulus Bill"
