Net Neutrality Talks Restart Outside FCC; Critics of Industry Influence Urge Agency Action

Industry talks to develop consensus on net neutrality principles and FCC regulatory authority over broadband networks that could eventually be offered for inclusion in federal legislation, similar to talks which the FCC abandoned last month, have started up again, with a slightly altered list of participants, under the auspices of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).

"Today's meeting is the first in a series of focused discussions, with ITI serving as facilitator, aimed at developing Internet openness principles that can achieve broad cross-sector support," ITI President and Chief Executive Officer Dean Garfield said in an Aug. 18 statement. "Over the last few months, much work has been directed at developing such a solution - including by Google - with significant positive steps forward."

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Genachowski Defends Broadband Framework NOI

In a letter released by the Commission on Aug. 19, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski told Rep. John D. Dingell (D., Mich.) that "in view of the court decision [in Comcast Corp. v. FCC], and as the Congressional Chairs have requested, the Commission has an obligation to move forward with the public proceeding initiated by our Notice [of inquiry into a broadband regulatory framework], which is complementary to Congress's own efforts."

Chairman Genachowski, who was responding to questions raised in earlier correspondence from the Michigan Democrat, offered a narrower interpretation of a 1998 FCC Report to Congress than that frequently given by opponents of network neutrality. "[M]y understanding is that the Report addressed the narrow issue of whether non-facilities-based providers of Internet access should be required to contribute to the Universal Service Fund," the FCC Chairman said.

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