US net neutrality rules overturned

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 18 Feb 2011 at 08:19

US politicians have overturned rules that would bar internet service providers from blocking legal content, but give some discretion to ration access for bandwidth hogs.

The vote in the House of Representatives - which was spearheaded by Republican lawmakers determined to undo a range of Obama administration initiatives - would block funds to implement rules proposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in December.

In December, the FCC voted to ban internet service providers from blocking traffic, but gave them some discretion to ration access and manage their networks. The FCC's two Republicans voted against the measure.

The new measure blocking the FCC's decision was added as an amendment to a sweeping spending bill that will fund the Government for the rest of the current fiscal year.

To become law, the measure would also need to pass the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority, and get President Barack Obama's signature. No vote has been scheduled for the measure in the Senate.

In debate yesterday, Republican Representative Steve Scalise said the rule was unnecessary Government intervention in the market, and would stand in the way of innovation and kill jobs.

"We think the FCC overstepped their boundaries," he said. "This is something that should be done and solved in the halls of Congress."

But Democratic Representative Edward Markey said killing the rule would squash innovation. He said regulators have in the past stepped in to ensure competition - as they did when AT&T fought the sale of telephones made by other companies to replace their black rotary telephones.

"Verizon's not going to invent anything new. What they want to do is squeeze competitors," Markey said, naming one of the major American ISPs.

In a lawsuit filed in January against the rule, Verizon Communications argues the FCC overstepped its authority.