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House Passes Telecom Bill without Net-Neutrality AmendmentThe House of Representatives passed legislation June 8 that would allow telephone companies to offer competitive, bundled packages of telecommunications services in new markets, but it rejected an amendment to ensure equal access to online content to all customers—the so-called network neutrality provision.The Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement (COPE) Act (H.R. 5252), passed 321–101, gives the Federal Communications Commission the power to regulate telecom services over local franchising authorities, allowing phone companies to compete more easily with the cable industry. However, lawmakers voted down 259–152 an amendment (H.R. 5273), sponsored by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) that would prevent internet firms from setting up a two-tiered system of pricing and service, the June 9 New York Times reported. A wide range of organizations support the concept of network neutrality, among them the American Library Association, MoveOn.org, the Christian Coalition of America, AARP, and many consumer groups. Such internet companies as Google, Ebay, and Amazon.com also engaged in considerable last-minute lobbying in support of the Markey amendment, according to a June 8 Cnet online news report. “The imposition of additional fees for internet content providers would unduly burden web-based small businesses and start-ups,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). “They would also hamper communications by noncommercial users, those using religious speech, promoting civic involvement, and exercising First Amendment freedoms.” Supporters hope that net-neutrality language will be included in the Senate version of telecom reform. Legislation sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) directs the FCC to conduct a study of abusive business practices predicted by the Save the Internet coalition, of which ALA is a member. Posted June 9, 2006. |
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