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Overhauled Telecommunications Law Draft

pin_gween writes "ZDNet.com has published info on proposed changes to the telecommunications laws. The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce committee released a 77-page staff working draft (PDF alert) and is now calling for comments from interested parties. Highlights include: 'The draft defines, for regulatory purposes, broadband Internet transmission services--or BITS--as "a packet-switched service that is offered to the public," regardless of the equipment or protocol used. That puts DSL and cable providers on equal footing... A federal framework for regulating BITS, VoIP and broadband video services...BITS, VoIP and broadband video services must not block their subscribers' access to any content or applications and must allow their subscribers to connect to their services with whichever devices they choose...Recourse for VoIP providers: They're expected to negotiate their own rates with telecommunications companies for use of their wires'"

2 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So? by SewersOfRivendell · · Score: 0, Troll

    Actually, that's how the world works when you don't have a neofascist cabal controlling your government. Chinese-style "communism" has its bad points as well, of course, but they clearly made broadband access a priority.

    Too bad about that whole torturing and killing dissidents thing.

    Oh, wait, we do that too. Never mind. (Oh, sorry, I forgot -- we only do it to towelheads. That makes it so much better).

  2. GIVE ME THE PORK... by MosesJones · · Score: 0, Troll


    Come on we are missing a trick here, comments on the legislation will have a minor impact, what we should be asking for is some PORK. I mean the ENERGY bill had a $231m BRIDGE in Alaska named after some senator who headed a committee so...

    Free Datacentre capacity available on demand

    All Beer to become Free (as in Free Speech)

    Any more?

    --
    An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi