Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: March 22, 2007 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email:
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
FCC LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO BROADBAND MARKET PRACTICES (aka Network Neutrality )
Washington, D.C. – The
Federal Communications Commission today begins an inquiry to better understand the behavior of participants in the market for
broadband services. The Commission in its 2005
Internet Policy Statement announced four principles to encourage broadband deployment and to preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet. This Notice of Inquiry seeks information on the behavior of broadband market participants, including:
· How broadband providers are managing
Internet traffic on their networks today
· Whether providers charge different prices for different speeds or capacities of service
· Whether our policies should distinguish between content providers that charge end users for access to content and those that do not
· How consumers are affected by these practices
The Notice of Inquiry further seeks comment on whether the Policy Statement should incorporate a new principle of nondiscrimination and, if so, how would "nondiscrimination" be defined, and how would such a principle read.
Action by the Commission, March 22, 2007, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 07-31). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Tate and McDowell, with Commissioners Copps and Adelstein concurring. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell. Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Heather Hendrickson, heather.hendrickson@fcc.gov , 202-418-7295
