The FCC has voted to punish Comcast for blocking Internet traffic to certain subscribers. Comcast has been limiting the Internet traffic to users of file-sharing networks; they did this in order to prevent those users from hogging all the bandwidth. The punishment, according to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, will not include fines but will require Comcast to "stop its practice of blocking; provide details to the commission on the extent and manner in which the practice has been used; and to disclose to consumers details on future plans for managing its network going forward."
This disciplinary action is resulting from a FCC policy instituted in 2005 that requires all broadband networks to be "widely deployed, open, affordable and accessible to all consumers." This makes US broadband providers be more in line with the principles of net neutrality (support the Save the Internet campaign here).
I certainly applaud the FCC for their actions; Congress, however, has a duty to the American public. If we are to have a truly open and accessible Internet, Congress needs to step up and providing funding that will greatly improve our national broadband infrastructure. Nations around the world continue to surpass us in availability to the Internet. I really doubt that Internet providers can continue to meet the increase in demand of broadband networks with current pricing schemes. This is why they are seeking to limit users. If the government would step in and help build a national broadband network, this problem would be greatly alleviated. Please, Congress, give us a national strategy for deploying broadband Internet.
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