Net neutrality: Back in the spotlight for debate

[Brian Warkoczeski]

Net neutrality: Back in the spotlight for debate

by Marguerite Reardon

August 20, 2009

www.cnet.com

The debate over Net neutrality has reignited as broadband service 
providers hit the first deadline for applying for funds as part of 
President Obama's economic stimulus plan.

Thursday marked the first deadline for broadband service providers 
looking to get a piece of the $4.7 billion that will be doled out in the 
plan's initial phase. In total, Congress has authorized $7.2 billion as 
part of the Recovery Act to be used to bring high-speed broadband 
Internet access to consumers and business in areas of the country where 
service is not yet available or is too expensive.

Such a high number of broadband companies submitted online applications 
right before the initial August 14 deadline that the Department of 
Agriculture and Department of Commerce's servers were overwhelmed with 
the requests and the deadline was extended to August 20.

Many of the large broadband providers such as AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon 
Communications have decided not to apply for stimulus funds. While some 
of these companies, like Verizon, said months ago they would not apply 
for funds, some experts believe that stipulations announced in July 
requiring recipients to adhere to Net neutrality principles may have 
kept some of these big operators from throwing their hats into the ring.

Whether this is actually true is up for debate. But one thing is clear. 
The Net neutrality issue is back on the table and up for debate. And 
part of the reason is largely due to its inclusion in the broadband 
stimulus grant application.

"These debates are always moved forward when an event like this 
happens," said Harold Feld, legal director at Public Knowledge, a 
consumer advocacy group that supports Net neutrality legislation. "The 
debate around the stimulus funding helped focus attention on the issue."

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