CBUI sends letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell re: net neutraility.
Coalition of high-tech firms including Amazon.com, eBay, Yahoo!, Disney Corporation and Microsoft called the Coalition of Broadband Users and Innovators (CBUI) sent a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell urging the FCC to assure that consumers and other Internet users continue to enjoy the unfettered ability to reach lawful content and services. Members of the CBUI used the phrase net neutrality', an idea originally discussed in an essay written in 2002 by Tim Wu and pub in Columbia L Rev 2003
Scottish Parliament publishes "Implementing Services in Rural Scotland: A Progress Report" online.
In Brand X Internet Servs. v. FCC, 345 F.3d 1120 (9th Cir. 2003), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that the FCC’s ruling was partially correct in its treatment of cable modem service as an information provider but disagreed with its conclusion that cable broadband service was part "telecommunications service." The court affirmed the FCC's ruling in part, vacated it in part, and remanded the case for further proceedings.
Cato Study Opposes FCC Imposition of Network Neutrality
The Cato Institute released a study titled "``Net Neutrality´´ Digital Discrimination or Regulatory Gamesmanship in Cyberspace?" This report is a rebuttal of the network neutrality arguments that have been submitted to the FCC by an ad hoc group named the "Coalition of Broadband Users and Innovators" and by academics such as Lawrence Lessig and Timothy Wu."
Source: http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa507.pdf
FCC Chairman Michael Powell articulates four Internet Freedoms in speech.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell delivered an address in which he articulated his ideas for four 'Internet Freedoms':
1. freedom to access content
2. freedom to use applications
3. freedom to attach personal devices
4. freedom to obtain service plan information
Source: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-243556A1.pdf.
Nat'l Cable & Telecomms. Ass'n v. Brand X Internet Servs., 545 U.S. 967
On June 27, 2005, the USSC upheld the FCC ruling that cable broadband Internet access services are not subject to governmental regulations as defined under "telecommunications services".
Reference:http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/04-277.ZS.html
FCC adopts Policy Statement FCC 05-151.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted Policy Statement FCC 05-151 which “ensure[s] that broadband networks are widely deployed, open, affordable, and accessible to all consumers.”
Source: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-151A1.pdf
Vint Cerf writes letter to House reps. in defense of Net Neutrality.
One of the founding fathers of the Internet, Vint Cerf, sent a letter to Representatives Joe Barton (R-Texas) and John Dingell (D-Michigan) on November 8, 2005, defending the idea of net neutrality.
Tim Berners-Lee speaks in favor of Net Neutrality.
Tim Berners-Lee, a chief architect of the World Wide Web and the inventor of the hypertext markup language (HTML) states his support for the net neutrality movement in an interview with the Toronto Star.
Tyler Hamilton, ?Battle for the Web,? Toronto Star, March 28, 2006
SaveTheInternet.com Coalition is founded.
The coalition consists of hundreds of groups from across the political spectrum that are concerned about maintaining a free and open Internet. Coordinated by Free Press, a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media, the mission of SaveTheInternet.com is to ensure free,equitable use of the Internet and devotes its resources to educating the public and grassroot lobbying.
Reference: http://www.savetheinternet.com/
In her remarks to The Progress & Freedom Foundation’s Aspen Summit, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras addresses issue of “Net Neutrality”. An Internet Access Task Force will examine issues raised by converging technologies.
Source: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/08/neutrality.shtm
"The Federal Trade Commission’s Internet Access Task Force today issued a report, “Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy,” which summarizes the Task Force’s findings in the area of broadband Internet connectivity and, in particular, so-called network neutrality regulation."
Source: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/06/broadband.shtm
Comcast investigated re: accusations that it was interfering with customers’ use of peer-to-peer applications.
In October of 2007 Comcast was investigated on accusations that it was interfering with customers’ use of peer-to-peer applications. Formal complaints were filed by Free Press and Public Knowledge on the grounds that Comcast was violating the FCC’s Internet policy statement FCC 05-151.
Comcast is caught by the Associated Press blocking peer-to-peer traffic on its network, allegedly violating the F.C.C.'s 2005 "Internet Policy Statement".
Washington, D.C.-based consumer rights group Free Press, with a coalition of internet experts from Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, files a complaint with the F.C.C. asking it to investigate the allegations. Comcast denies the charge.
Barack Obama declares his support of Net neutrality.
While addressing an audience in Mountain View, CA on the campaign trail, Barack Obama declares his commitment to open access and supports net neutrality.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-mW1qccn8k
Comcast admits temporarily blocking certain peer-to-peer traffic in a 57-page filing with the F.C.C., but characterizes its actions as "reasonable network management," needed to ensure that the internet works for all of its subscribers, not just file-swap
Comcast faces a media storm after admitting to Portfolio.com that it paid people off the street to attend the Harvard hearing, while members of the public were prevented from attending. Comcast claims it merely paid people to save spots for Comcast employ
The organizer of the Harvard public hearing disputes Comcast's claim, telling Portfolio.com: "There were no Comcast employees waiting to get in. The people who were waiting to get into the room were regular citizens waiting to get into a public hearing."
In the aftermath of the Harvard hearing, the F.C.C. weighs convening a "do-over" at Stanford University, despite official denials. Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo opens an investigation into Comcast's "network management" practices.
At a public hearing at Harvard, F.C.C. Chairman Kevin Martin warns Comcast that the agency is "ready, willing, and able" to punish Comcast for violations of its open internet guidelines.
Comcast says it will change its network management practices to a "protocol agnostic" approach -- meaning it will not favor one type of traffic over another, and will instead focus on users who consume the most bandwidth. Namely file-sharers. The company
SaveTheInternet.com on the Hill: Marvin Ammori's Statement
Free Press General Counsel Marvin Ammori speaks on Capitol Hill about Comcast's ongoing blocking of content-sharing applications such as BitTorrent.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc2RfCWqptQ
Two days before the Stanford hearing, Comcast says it will develop a "Bill of Rights and Responsibilities" for file-sharing services. Comcast's critics blast the plan as "ludicrous."
After a raucous, 10-hour public hearing at Stanford, F.C.C. Chairman Martin argues before the U.S. Senate that the agency has the authority to punish Comcast. Martin says that contrary to Comcast's claims, the company's "traffic management" appeared to be
Democratic Commissioners commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein say they will vote in favor of the order punishing Comcast, giving the commission the majority needed for approval. The formal vote is set for Aug. 1.
Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA), Title I of Public Law No. 110-385, 122 Stat. 4096 (Oct. 10, 2008)
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (S.1)
Senator Harry Reid introduces the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (S. 1). The bill sets aside billions to connect more Americans to broadband networks and requires that the largest chunk, $4.7 billion, be spent building networks that abide by Net Neutrality.
Source: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:s1pcs.txt.pdf
Interim FCC Chair Kevin Martin pushes for free broadband access.
H.R. 96, Internet Freedom Act introduced by Rep. Marsha Blackburn [TN-9]
H.R. 96, Internet Freedom Act
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2011. Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. AALL opposes this bill.
Related Bill: H.R. 166
H.R. 166, Internet Investment, Innovation, and Competition Preservation Act introduced by Rep. Cliff Stearns [FL-6]
