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Internet Firms Raise Profile on Capitol Hill

Carl Bialik from the WSJ writes "Internet companies have long been dwarfed in Washington by the lobbying might of telecoms. But now some firms are beefing up their D.C. operations, the Wall Street Journal reports, partly in an effort to push legislation that would prevent telephone companies from charging Internet companies for guaranteed fast delivery of Internet content. A telecom lawyer hired by Google last summer to build the company's Washington office tells the WSJ, 'Carrier control over Internet activity is bad for consumers. ... We're not worried consumers won't be able to reach Google. The real threat is to the next Google and to the services that are important for consumers.'"

2 of 124 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Lobbyists are just bad by rolfwind · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Agreed, but it might be a good way to respond to the Telecoms with their clamoring to be allowed to do this.

    I hate class action lawsuits - though I think the prosecutors against Sony gave up too easily with a lame settlement - really more Sony downloads free? YAY!, but I think it's time for a couple of telecoms to face class action lawsuits other than lobbyists.

    When I pay for the internet, I pay for the internet. I don't pay for verizon's net (verizonet), SBCnet, or any other net. It's called fraudulent advertising.

    And no, fine-print legalese promising the exact opposite of what they advertise in 6000 pt font should not make it okay.

  2. Just you all wait... by chaoticgeek · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Well when I get a wee bit older then I will run and you all can vote for me :). Brandon aka nugget Give me about 10-15 years though before I am old enough to run for Prez or Senate.

    --
    hello