Senate turns down Net neutrality provision

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 30 Jun 2006 at 11:57

Attempts to glue on terms to ensure Net neutrality to upcoming legislation were dealt another blow after it failed under debate in the US Senate.

The issue rests on allowing network companies to charge extra for high-priority access to their networks. Opponents of the notion object that it would change the open nature of the Internet, allowing those with the most money to ensure their services get a preferred status.

The Senate vote Wednesday was split down the middle with 11 on each side. The neutrality provision needs a majority to pass, and so it wasn't taken up at this point.

The vote was also split politically: the only Republican voting for the amendment was Olympia J. Snowe, who co-authored the amendment, but all the Democrats put forward a yes vote.

The Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006, which the Net neutrality amendment is trying to annex, did gain approval and will move to the next stage in its passage: a full Senate vote.

Proponents of Net neutrality such as the It's Our Net Coalition claimed the tie 'clearly underscores the Senate Commerce Committee's discomfort with abandoning rules that until now have ensured an open, innovative and competitive Internet marketplace.

'We are confident that Congress will ultimately do the right thing for consumers, competition and the future of the Internet by ensuring that Net Neutrality prevails and that the Internet remains the remarkable open marketplace for ideas and innovation that it is today.'

The likes of Google, Microsoft, Amazon and others are backing the Net neutrality campaign, with Google's CEO Eric Schmidt calling on users to support the amendment. Sir Tim Berners-Lee has also spoken out in favour of Net neutrality.

See also

US votes against Net neutrality

Google CEO makes call to action over Net Neutrality

US votes to preserve Net neutrality