US Rep Barton (R-Texas) Asks FCC To Stop Vote On Open Internet Rules (net neutrality)

[UpInArms]

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--A senior House Republican on Tuesday asked Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski to stop a commission vote, slated for Thursday, on proposed open Internet rules.

House Energy and Commerce Ranking Republican Joe Barton of Texas said in a letter to Genachowski that the rules could have "potentially catastrophic effects on investment and deployment of broadband services throughout the country."

The rules would prevent Internet companies such as Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and AT&T Inc. (T) from selectively blocking or slowing certain Web content and would require providers to disclose how they manage their networks.

Barton's letter is just the latest in a flurry of protests sent to the FCC about the proposed rules.

Big telcos warn that new regulations will hamper their considerable investment in Internet networks around the country, putting in danger a top priority of President Barack Obama to blanket the country with high-speed Internet.

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The aggressive lobbying on both sides of the issue isn't likely to change the outcome of the FCC vote. The proposed rules fulfill a campaign promise from Obama, and Genachowski has more or less secured the support of the two other Democrats on the independent commission.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091020-717230.html