House Judiciary Introduces Internet Antitrust Bill
Broadband providers convicted of discriminating against applications or devices would face antitrust remedies under a bill (HR-5994) introduced Thursday by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich. HR-5994 would require network operators to ensure equal treatment of all content, applications and services.
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“If we allow companies with monopoly or duopoly power to control how the Internet operates, network providers could have the power to choose what content is available,” Conyers said. Co-sponsor Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said the bill is needed. “Recent events have shown that net neutrality is more than a hypothetical concern,” she said. “We need a meaningful remedy to prevent those who control the infrastructure of the Internet from controlling the content on the Internet.”
Net neutrality advocates praised the bill as a necessary bulwark against abuses by large network operators. A “pattern of pattern of discrimination by phone and cable companies… beckons for a solution,” MoveOn.org, a longtime advocate of such legislation, said. “There’s big momentum for laws that will keep the Internet a level playing field for the little guy,” the group said, noting that the Democratic candidates both support neutrality legislation.
“Congress must step in to defend the open Internet,” said Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott. “The future of the Internet as we know it depends on maintaining the freedom and openness online that we have always enjoyed.”
A Verizon spokesman called the bill a “tough sell.” He said: “Broadband deployment is a bright spot in the U.S. economy that provides high-paying jobs, unprecedented investment and innovation. Why would Congress want to jeopardize all that with this bill?” A USTelecom spokeswoman said the bill “would significantly chill efforts to spur broadband deployment and adoption and would limit rather than enhance the tremendous benefits consumers see today through distance learning, environmental savings and e-health opportunities.”