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Cable Internet Service Not Common Carrier

Posted by Hemos on from the the-battle-wages-on dept.

l2718 writes "The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed with the Federal Communications Commission that cable Internet service is an 'information service' rather than a 'telecommunication service.' This means that cable companies don't have to make their infrastructure open for competing ISPs to use. This is in distinction to the case of telephone companies and long-distance service, for example. For more information try the Center for Digital Democracy or read the Telecommunications Act."

2 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. A safe haven? by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Does this mean that cable companies are now excluded from VoIP "tappability", the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), or from the other law enforcement attempts to log EVERYTHING on the internet(s)?

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  2. Re:The Real Problem Here by h4rm0ny · · Score: 5, Interesting


    In that case, Cable provision is a natural monopoly and there is nothing to be gained by having it run by a private company (the theory of capitalism being based on competition), so it should be taken under public ownership.

    Competing companies can sell services on the infrastructure if they like, but not access itself.

    This would also lower the barrier of entry right down to the little local companies.

    --

    Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.