Chairman Powell Remarks On Preserving Open Broadband Platforms

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 17:18:56 -0800
From: "Wong, Brian" <brianwong () dwt com>
Subject: Chairman Powell Remarks On Preserving Open Broadband Platforms
To: "'Farber, Dave'" <dave () farber net>

Dave, you may be interested in my brief summary of Chairman Powell's 
February 8, 2004 prepared remarks "Preserving Internet Freedom:  Guiding 
Principles For The Industry," presented at the Silicon Flatirons Symposium 
on "The Digital Broadband Migration: Toward a Regulatory Regime for the 
Internet Age."

The Chairman discussed the importance of ensuring that broadband platforms 
remain open.  He noted a "few troubling restrictions" which have appeared 
in broadband service plan agreements, including "cable companies' early 
efforts to impose restrictions on use of virtual private networks, WiFi and 
home networking equipment and on operation of servers in the home."  The 
Chairman noted press reports alleging that "at least one cable company has 
not provided enough guidance to intensive broadband users regarding the 
bandwidth limits of their service plans."

The Chairman found "the case for government imposed regulations regarding 
the use or provision of broadband content, applications and devices is 
unconvincing and speculative."  However, he challenged the broadband 
network industry "to preserve the following 'Internet Freedoms:'"

*       Freedom to Access Content.  Consumers should have access to their 
choice of legal content.
*       Freedom to Use Applications.  Consumers should be able to run 
applications of their choice.
*       Freedom to Attach Personal Devices.  Consumers should be permitted 
to attach any devices they choose to the connection in their homes.

*       Freedom to Obtain Service Plan Information.  Consumers should 
receive meaningful information regarding their service plans.

The complete text of the remarks are here:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-243556A1.doc>http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-243556A1.doc 


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