FCC: Cable ISPs Need Not Give Competitors Access

michael_cain writes: "Multichannel News is reporting that the FCC has ruled that cable companies providing high-speed data service do not need to provide access to competing ISPs. Depending on whom you believe, this should lead to either (a) more rapid rollout of cable modem service since the cable companies don't have to share the revenues or (b) cable companies limiting the content and services you can reach over their IP infrastructure." And an Anonymous Coward writes: "Excite is running an article indicating that the FCC has exempted cable internet companies from having to share their lines to competition. Unlike telephone companies, cable companies are required only to share their lines when specifically told to by the government. As a condition of the AOL Time Warner merger, that company was forced to offer its consumers a choice of Internet service providers on its high-speed lines. Thursday's vote, classifying cable Internet as an "information service" rather than a telecommunications service that is subject to the open-access provision, makes sure that cable companies won't have to share anytime soon."

Comments

Re:Well then...

[sharkey]

There is no incentive for the cablecos to screw over their customers since they have a monopoly in many areas.

Quite the opposite. Since the cable companies have a monopoly in most, if not all areas, they can screw their customers over without fear of losing them to another cable company.

"Kill all Muslims"?

[JustAnother AI]

I hope your jokeing. But just to let you know your not funny