Broadband Network Management
"The Commission, under Title I of the Communications Act, has the ability to adopt and enforce the net neutrality principles it announced in the Internet Policy Statement. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the Commission “has jurisdiction to impose additional regulatory obligations under its Title I ancillary jurisdiction to regulate interstate and foreign communications.” Indeed, the Supreme Court specifically recognized the Commission’s ancillary jurisdiction to impose regulatory obligations on broadband Internet access providers." (From Broadband Deployment Notice of Inquiry - April 16, 2007)
The availability of the Internet has had a profound impact on American life. This network of networks has fundamentally changed the way we communicate. It has increased the speed of communication, the range of communicating devices and the variety of platforms over which we can send and receive information. As Congress has noted, “[t]he rapidly developing array of Internet . . . services available to individual Americans represent an extraordinary advance in the availability of educational and informational resources to our citizens.” The Internet also represents “a forum for a true diversity of political discourse, unique opportunities for cultural development, and myriad avenues for intellectual activity.” In addition, the Internet plays an important role in the economy, as an engine for productivity growth and cost savings.
In section 230(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Communications Act or Act), Congress describes its national Internet policy. Specifically, Congress states that it is the policy of the United States “to preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that presently exists for the Internet” and “to promote the continued development of the Internet.” In section 706(a) of the Act, Congress charges the Commission with “encourag[ing] the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability” – broadband – “to all Americans.”
On September 23, 2005, the Commission released a Policy Statement that offers guidance and insight into its approach to the Internet and broadband that is consistent with these Congressional directives. It announced four principles to encourage broadband deployment and to preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet. [FCC 07-31]
On April 16, 2007, the Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry to enhance its understanding of the nature of the market for broadband and related services, and to ask whether network platform providers and others favor or disfavor particular content, how consumers are affected by these policies, and whether consumer choice of broadband providers is sufficient to ensure that all such policies ultimately benefit consumers. The Commission asked for comments on specific examples of beneficial or harmful behavior, and on whether any regulatory intervention is necessary. [FCC 07-151]
To further its review of broadband network management practices, the Commission has conducted en banc hearings, open to the public, to hear from expert panelists on the subject to help the Commission evaluate particular broadband practices and to examine developments in the broadband marketplace. Audio, video and print records from these hearings are available through the links below.
10/2/08
Keynote Remarks of Chairman Martin at the "Network Neutrality Conference-Implications For Innovation And Business Online", Copenhagen, Denmark.
Word | Acrobat
Presentation: Powerpoint
8/1/08
Commission Orders Comcast to End Discriminatory Network Management Practices.
MO&O (8/20/08):
Word |
Acrobat
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
7/1/08
Remarks of Chairman Martin at the Plenary Session of the OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy, Seoul, Korea.
Word | Acrobat
6/17/08
Chairman Martin Commentary in Korea Times, "Engine of Productivity and Innovation".
Acrobat
4/22/08
Written Statement of Chairman Martin, United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Word | Acrobat
4/17/08
Statements from Public En Banc Hearing at Stanford University on Broadband Network Management Practices.
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
3/19/08
FCC Expands, Improves Broadband Data Collection.
Broadband Data R&O (6/12/08): Word | Acrobat
706 Report (6/12/08): Word | Acrobat
News Release: Word | Acrobat
WCB Open Meeting Presentation: Acrobat
Martin Statement on Broadband Data & 706 Report: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement on Broadband Data: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement on 706 Report: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement on Broadband Data: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement on 706 Report: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement on Broadband Data: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement on 706 Report: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement on Broadband Data: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement Broadband on 706 Report: Word | Acrobat
2/25/08
Statements from Public En Banc Hearing at Harvard Law School on Broadband Network Management Practices.
Martin Statement: Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
1/14/08
Comment Sought on Petition for Rulemaking to Establish Rules Governing Network Management Practices by Broadband Network Operators.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
Vuze, Inc. Petition for Rulemaking (11/14/07): Acrobat
1/14/08
Comment Sought on Petition for Declaratory Ruling Regarding Internet Management Policies.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
Free Press, et. al. Petition for Declaratory Ruling, (11/1/07): Acrobat
1/14/08
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Petition for Declaratory Ruling that Text Messages and Short Codes are Title II Services or are Title I Services Subject to Section 202 Nondiscrimination Rules.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
Public Knowledge, et. al. Petition for Declaratory Ruling (12/11/07): Acrobat
4/16/07
FCC Begins Inquiries on Broadband Data and Broadband Deployment (FCC 07-17).
News Release: Word | Acrobat
NPRM: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
4/16/07
Broadband Deployment Notice of Inquiry (FCC 07-21).
News Release: Word | Acrobat
NOI: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
4/16/07
FCC Launches Inquiry into Broadband Market Practices (FCC 07-31).
News Release (3/22/07): Word | Acrobat
NOI: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
9/23/05
FCC Releases Policy Statement on Broadband Internet Access (FCC 07-151).
Policy Statement: Word | Acrobat
Martin Press Statement: Word | Acrobat
8/5/05
FCC Adopts Policy Statement on Broadband Internet Access.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
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