Senators want probe of Comcast's BitTorrent 'discrimination'

Comcast's reportedly aggressive filtering of BitTorrent and other file-sharing traffic is drawing calls for a U.S. Senate hearing--and a renewed push for Net neutrality laws.

Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) on Friday sent a letter asking Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) to convene a hearing as soon as possible to investigate "the topic of service discrimination by phone and cable companies."

The request isn't new: Dorgan and Snowe both made a similar plea after reports that Verizon Wireless had initially refused to carry a reproductive rights group's text messages.

The senators suggested the incidents indicate "Congress should consider adopting targeted regulations to protect consumers and ensure a vibrant and open communications platform."

They're referring, of course, to Net neutrality rules, which Dorgan and Snowe proposed once again earlier this year after a similar effort failed to pass last year. That's the idea that broadband operators like Comcast and Verizon should not be allowed to block, impair, or discriminate against any content that crosses their pipes--or charge companies extra fees for the privilege of getting their traffic prioritized.

Many Democrats support the regulations, but Republicans have largely rejected them, claiming the market is sufficient to sort out perceived discrimination problems as they arise and that new regulations would stifle investment in new broadband services.

Verizon, for its part, ultimately allowed the reproductive rights group's messages, citing an "outdated policy" that caused the company to decline to carry the group's alert system. Comcast also denied blocking access to any Web sites or online applications, including peer-to-peer services, but it acknowledged "delaying" some Internet traffic in the interest of improving other subscribers' surfing experiences, particularly during highly congested periods.

A Democratic Commerce Committee aide told CNET News.com on Friday that Inouye had received the letter but wasn't sure when--or if--a hearing would be scheduled.

[david__B]

*sigh*

Men are dying in Iraq and all our congress can think to do is get all huffy about a company slowing packets of a P2P primarily used for distributing illegal programs and illegal movie files.
Hey Congress, don't you have real work to do?

[volterwd]

yes they should prioritize...

but the world doesnt end when you have a war you cant do anything about. They still have to address these other issues.

[R. U. Sirius]

Wake Up

It's not about p2p, it's about Comcast telling you what you can and cannot do on the internet. P2P isn't inherently bad, and Comcast has no right to filter information as they please. If you are doing something illegal on the web, it's up to law enforcement to build a case against you and put you in jail.

[rnieves1977]

Freedom

There is a war here too, it's against our right to access to information and freedom of speech. While I agree the War should be priority #1 on Congress' list of things to do something about, this should also be in the top ten.

savetheinternet.com

[troppp]

At Least

At least they are giving the impression they are looking after the average US citizen. Considering everything else going on (freedoms diminishing, war, jobs going overseas, etc), I get a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach every time something is actually aimed towards making my life any better.

[Mousefinger]

Congress: Worthless Flesh Balloons

What kind of worthless sacks of crap do we have in Congress today? Who gives a flaming rat's rump about what Comcast does to PIRATES that STEAL COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. Internet access is a privilege ... not a right. Worry less about Comcast shaping their bandwidth and worry more about:

1.) Illegitimate war in Iraq
2.) War pending in Iran (millage may vary)
3.) Oil bust'n through $100 soon
4.) Gold bust'n through $800 soon
5.) Dollar tanking
6.) Housing/Credit Crunch
7.) Post-Oil society

What that? What kind of Ayn Rand hell is this? Please. Someone tell the idiot Senators to work on impeaching Bush instead of worrying about Comcast. Leave Comcast alone.

The phony Senators.

/Mouse

[telestarnext]

Your a DEM Troll aren't you

I pay my $$ for the rated speed, Moron, I don't pay 3.00 at the gas station to drive to MY JOB (do you have one?) at whatever speed or road I wish take. Do you REALLY think its fair to pay the same 3.00 a gallon to drive at 35 mph and only on a 'approved' road? HAHAHAHA. Dems, gotta love em. Give me all your money and I'll decide whats best for you, Oh and I'll have to give some of your money to your neighbor, he can't afford gas cause he bought beer.

[The_Decider]

Ban QOS on private networks

That will solve the problem!

What Comcast did has NOTHING to do with net neutrality.

[Dr. StrangeOne]

Discrimination is a "code word" these days

Want to escape the very limited powers that restrains you? Simply declare that any act of discrimination is completely within your purview, and by doing so every act of human nature or security defenses comes within your newly invented legislative powers.