FCC stops closed-door Internet policy meetings as Google, Verizon strike side deal
Under criticism for its handing of closed-door discussions with certain companies on broadband policy, the Federal Communications Commission announced Thursday the meetings with Verizon, AT&T, Google and Skype were unsuccessful and that it would stop holding them.The announcement comes amid an apparent agreement between Verizon and Google on so-called net neutrality ground rules that would allow certain prioritization of Web sites on fixed wire networks and no rules on wireless networks. Sources familiar with the discussions at the FCC said reports Wednesday of a deal between Verizon and Google on net neutrality upset participants in the meeting, who were moving closer to agreement on stronger rules against blocking and slowing traffic on wireless and fixed-wire networks.
“We have called off this round of stakeholder discussions," said Eddie Lazarus, the chief of staff to the chairman of the FCC. "It has been productive on several fronts, but has not generated a robust framework to preserve the openness and freedom of the Internet – one that drives innovation, investment, free speech, and consumer choice. All options remain on the table as we continue to seek broad input on this vital issue.” More...
08-06-2010 17:26
Snapshot of global internet speeds revealed
A report based on analysis of huge amounts of net traffic has revealed the state of the internet around the globe.The data, from network giant Akamai reveals the average global net speed is only 1.7Mbps (megabits per second) although some countries have made strides towards faster services.
The fastest broadband city in the world is Masan in South Korea.
In the speed league table, the UK is ranked 27th out of 201 countries, with an average speed of 3.8Mbps. More...
07-28-2010 16:15
FCC to toughen internet rules
The stage has been set for what many predict will be an ugly fight over broadband plans for US citizens.The Federal Communications Commission has taken the first formal steps towards tougher rules for broadband.
It asked for public comment on three different plans, igniting an expensive lobbying campaign by all sides. The looming battle follows a court ruling questioning the FCC's right to regulate internet service providers after one throttled traffic to users.
That court ruling dealt a major blow to a central plank of the FCC's broadband plan called net neutrality which demands that all data traffic be treated equally. More...
06-20-2010 18:41
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