Campaigning to mobilize musicians for net neutrality, the Future of Music Coalition (FMC) Tues. announced a Rock The Net campaign and website, FutureOfMusic.org/RockTheNet. Rock The Net -- endorsed by House Telecom & Internet Subcommittee Chmn. Markey (D-Mass.), 26 bands and others -- maintains that indie musicians will suffer unless Congress stops AT&T, Verizon and other ISPs from charging websites for extra bandwidth. The campaign is “big, powerful and going to rock,” Markey said.
The FCC voted 5-0 Thurs. to study network management practices among telecom and cable broadband providers although Comrs. Copps and Adelstein said the agency should have taken stronger action. The Commission approved a net neutrality “notice of inquiry” (NOI) asking how telecom companies manage networks, whether there’s evidence of discriminatory practices and whether the FCC should expand 4 non-binding net neutrality “principles” it wrote in 2005. The NOI asks if a 5th principle should be added to encourage “nondiscrimination,” FCC officials said at the meeting.
The FCC voted 5-0 Thurs. to study network management practices among telecom and cable broadband providers although Comrs. Copps and Adelstein said the agency should have taken stronger action. The Commission approved a net neutrality “notice of inquiry” (NOI) asking how telecom companies manage networks, whether there’s evidence of discriminatory practices and whether the FCC should expand 4 non-binding net neutrality “principles” it wrote in 2005. The NOI asks if a 5th principle should be added to encourage “nondiscrimination,” FCC officials said at the meeting.
Comr. McDowell said Thurs. he has made no decision on a Skype petition asking that Carterfone rules apply to wireless. McDowell, addressing the Content Abundance in a Multiple World conference at Catholic U., said today’s timetable gives small and rural carriers time to prepare for the 700 MHz auction. He urged that the FCC “create incentives” for the private sector to cut the cost of effective safety communications.
Comr. McDowell said Thurs. he has made no decision on a Skype petition asking that Carterfone rules apply to wireless. He was addressing the Content Abundance in a Multiple World conference at Catholic U.
Cable operators compete on technological advances like faster broadband speeds and VoD, not exclusive programming, industry analysts said. That could inform how the industry approaches an FCC review this year of program access rules (CD Feb 22 p5), said industry lawyers. Cable operators are focusing on offering more services such as broadband and VoIP, Sanford Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett said: “Broadband is emerging as the cornerstone of the consumer bundle.” Some pay-TV lawyers continue to push for access rule changes.
Cable operators compete on technological advances like faster broadband speeds and VoD, not exclusive programming, industry analysts said. That could inform how the industry approaches an FCC review this year of program access rules, said industry lawyers. Cable operators are focusing on offering more services such as broadband and VoIP, Sanford Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett said: “Broadband is emerging as the cornerstone of the consumer bundle.”
A proposed record FCC kids-TV fine probably doesn’t mean the start of a crackdown on stations breaking educational and informational programming rules, said current and former FCC officials and industry lawyers. Chmn. Martin’s pursuit of a $24 million penalty against Univision (CD Feb 27 p3) seems to be an isolated event, they said. Univision’s need for FCC approval of its $13.7 billion sale gave Martin a chance to make an example of the company, since the agency can tie agreement to pay the fine to greenlighting broadcast license transfers, said lawyers. The penalty, if approved by an FCC vote, would eclipse the previous record fine of $9 million against Qwest, said an FCC official.
A proposed $24 million kids-TV fine against Univision raised First Amendment worries among some industry officials because of concern that the Commission would overstep its bounds in setting the record penalty. The consent decree between the broadcaster and Chmn. Martin appears to amount to the regulation of programming, said broadcast and other lawyers. They said broadcasters have wide latitude in determining which programs are educational shows under the 1990 Children’s TV Act.
The FCC media ownership review may run longer than expected (CD June 26 p5), said agency and industry officials. A vote on a final order may not come until 2009. Among steps Chmn. Martin vowed to take before an order makes the 8th floor rounds are 4 field hearings on ownership, 2 localism hearings, a report on broadcast localism and 10 economic studies. His Feb. 1 declaration to a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that he hopes to finish media hearings this year spurred industry and FCC speculation that an order may not come before the 2008 election. Media activists and broadcasters had predicted the rulemaking would be wrapped up by mid-2008.