Net Neutrality Bill Aimed At ISP Data Caps Introduced In US Senate

New submitter Likes Microsoft writes "Yesterday, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) introduced a Net Neutrality bill aimed at ISPs using data caps soley for profiteering purposes, rather than the 'traffic management' purpose they often claim. The text of the bill is available at Wyden's Senate page. It would require ISPs to be certified by the FCC before implementing data caps. It says, in part, 'The [FCC] shall evaluate a data cap proposed by an Internet service provider to determine whether the data cap functions to reasonably limit network congestion in a manner that does not unnecessarily discourage use of the Internet.' In a statement, Wyden said, 'Americans are increasingly tethered to the Internet and connecting more devices to it, but they don’t really have the tools to effectively manage data consumption across their networks. Data caps create challenges for consumers and run the risk of undermining innovation in the digital economy if they are imposed bluntly and not designed to truly manage network congestion.'"

Comments

Re:Sen. Wyden.

[bradley13]

Dear Senator Wyden

Thank you for your good intentions, but...just why is this a task for the federal government? An ISP uses local infrastructure to provide service to local residents. Only in the strangest of cases (Texahoma) will an individual transaction cross state lines. The Commerce Clause does not apply. This is not the business of the federal government.

Anyway, surely you have more important things to worry about?

Re:Sen. Wyden.

[Anonymous Coward]

Dear Senator Wyden:

Please state the specific Section and Article within the Constitution which grants Congress the power to enact such legislation.