SCOTUS Lets Cable Firms Bar Rivals From Internet Lines

[dogday]

Court Lets Cable Firms Bar Rivals From Internet Lines

Justices uphold a decision by the FCC. The ruling may limit choices for high-speed access.

By James S. Granelli, Times Staff Writer


The Supreme Court ruled Monday that cable TV companies didn't have to share their high-speed Internet lines with rivals, a decision consumer groups said would stifle competition in the rapidly growing market for broadband.

In a 6-3 decision, the nation's high court said the Federal Communications Commission acted reasonably in finding that cable companies need not operate their networks as so-called common carriers the way telephone companies do.


The case is likely to help limit the choices most residential customers have for high-speed Internet access to their local phone company and their local cable company

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fi-brandxjun28,0,225781.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Ediacara]

1. This could be a major issue for us

If I've read the news reports correctly the court ruled that cable Internet companies didn't have to be viewed as common carriers, but could be if the FCC decided to change its mind.

So... who the hell doesn't want cheap Internet? Have a platform plank on cheap Internet for 2006, urging the FCC to change its mind and view cable Internet as a common carrier, have another plank in 2008 saying we'll appoint an FCC chief that stands up for consumer rights and will view cable Internet as common carrier.