Released: July 12, 2006

Who pays for Internet superhighway?

Source: USA Today

In the media and the halls of Congress, the Internet, phone and cable TV industries are raising a ruckus over “net neutrality.” What’s the squabble about? Here’s a look at both sides.

Net neutrality. To hear Google and Amazon.com tell it, the egalitarian Internet may soon be nomore. They contend that AT&T, Comcast and other big broadband providers are poised to rim theWeb with toll booths — destroying “Internet freedom” by charging them and smaller Internet companiesextra fees to zip their multimedia content to consumers on superfast broadband lanes. Thecontent providers are pushing for a new law to guarantee “network neutrality,” or equal treatmentfor all websites, even those that can’t afford to pay up.

The phone and cable giants in turn say the content providers simply want to stick consumers withthe bill for souping up the Web’s broadband arteries.

The “net neutrality” issue is being addressed ina larger communications reform bill before Congress. The House has passed a version, and the Senatecould vote on its own measure as early as September.USA TODAY telecommunications reporter Paul Davidson sorts out the arguments:

Proponents. Players: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, eBay and other large Web-content companies. They want: Congress to prohibit phone and cable companies from charging premiums to Web-content providers to ensure fast delivery of broadband content, such as video or games, and from blocking or slowing access to websites. 

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