FCC could boost power over broadband firms

[babylonsister]

FCC could boost power over broadband firms
By Sara Jerome - 06/17/10 02:28 PM ET


The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved closer to boosting its authority over broadband providers on Thursday in a controversial vote that the panel's Democrats said would protect consumers and its Republicans contended would freeze investment in broadband networks. 



The commission voted 3-2 to open an inquiry into how the industry is regulated, the first step toward giving the agency the authority to police broadband service providers such as Comcast, Verizon and AT&T.

Democratic commissioners said at the Thursday meeting that the move to greater FCC authority would protect consumers and ensure competition in the broadband market.

But the FCC’s two Republican voices expressed strong opposition. Commissioner Meredith Baker raised concerns about the financial implications and future broadband deployment, charging that the vote would "subject the Internet and consumers to years of litigation and uncertainty."


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http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/103905-fcc-boosts-power-over-broadband-providers