UPDATE 1US FCC says will act on Web neutrality if needed
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(Recasts with comments from panelists)
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Feb 25 (Reuters) - A top U.S. regulator on
Monday said the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is ready
to stop broadband providers from interfering with users’
access, while a leading Internet service provider denied
accusations it discriminates against users.
“I think it’s important to understand that the commission
is ready, willing and able to step in if necessary to correct
any (unreasonable) practices that are ongoing today,” FCC
Chairman Kevin Martin said at a hearing on Internet practices.
Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the second-largest U.S. Internet
service provider with more than 13 million subscribers, denies
impairing some applications and reiterated that it merely
manages the system for the good of all users.
“We don’t block any Web sites or online applications,
including (file sharing),” said David Cohen, Comcast’s
executive vice president.
The dispute over so-called “network neutrality” pits
open-Internet advocates against some service providers such as
Comcast, who say they need to take reasonable steps to manage
traffic on their networks.
The FCC has been looking into complaints by consumer groups
that Comcast has blocked some file-sharing services which are
used to distribute large digital media files such as TV shows
and movies.
The hearing, which included an executive with Verizon
Communications (VZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and professors from some of America’s top
law schools, is part of a broader FCC inquiry into what network
management techniques are reasonable.
Cohen said Comcast manages some peer-to-peer file uploads
at some times of the day. But he said the technique is designed
to have a minimal impact on users. Continued…
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