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 Lawmakers hope to counter the Federal Communications Commission's
vote on Feb. 26 for rules that are expected to follow the legal path
endorsed by President Barack Obama, which Internet service providers
(ISPs) and Republicans say would unnecessarily burden the industry
with regulation.
Sprint Corp, however, broke ranks on Friday, saying it will keep
investing in its networks even if the FCC goes for tougher
regulations.
"Sprint does not believe that a light touch application of Title II,
including appropriate forbearance, would harm the continued
investment in, and deployment of, mobile broadband services,"
Sprint's Chief Technology Officer Stephen Bye wrote to FCC Chairman
Tom Wheeler in a letter dated Jan. 15.
At stake is what rules should govern how ISPs manage web traffic on
their networks to ensure they treat all Internet content fairly. At
the heart of the latest phase in the debate over the rules is what
legal authority should guide regulations.
Net neutrality activists, now with Obama's backing, have advocated
for regulation of ISPs under a section of communications law known
as Title II, which would treat them more like public utilities.
The draft legislation from Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune and
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton seeks to set
new net neutrality rules, such as bans on data throttling and paid
prioritization, but without resorting to the Title II regime.
The Republican bill would ban blocking or slowing some downloads,
unless required for reasonable network management, but would also
restrict the FCC from expanding its authority over ISPs beyond
enforcing existing rules.
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Though a notable departure from Republican opposition to net
neutrality regulations broadly, the draft was met with skepticism by
advocates who say it lacks consumer protections.
"We stand ready and willing to work with our Republican colleagues,
but unfortunately, the bill as currently drafted would dramatically
undermine the FCC's vital role in protecting consumers and small
businesses online by limiting its enforcement and rulemaking
authorities in this critically important area," Democratic Senators
Patrick Leahy, Ron Wyden, Al Franken and Cory Booker said in a joint
statement.
The House and Senate commerce committees will hold net neutrality
hearings on Jan. 21.
(Reporting by Alina Selyukh; Editing by Christian Plumb)
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