January 9th, 2008
FCC to investigate Comcast
The Federal Communications Commission will investigate allegations that Comcast shuts down users’ connections when they upload files through P2P programs such as BitTorrent, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said at the Consumer Electronics Show Tuesday.
In November two consumer groups, PublicKnowledge and Free Press, asked the FCC to stop the alleged degrading of users’ connections and to impose substantial fines.
“Sure, we’re going to investigate and make sure that no consumer is going to be blocked. The question is going to arise: ‘Are they reasonable network practices?’ When they have reasonable network practices, they should disclose those and make those public.”
Comcast said it would cooperate with the investigation, but again denied any wrongdoing. David L. Cohen, executive vice president:
“We look forward to responding to any FCC inquiries regarding our broadband network management. Comcast plans to work with the [FCC] in its desire to bring more transparency for consumers regarding broadband network management. We do disclose, in our terms of use, our right to manage our network for the benefit of all customers.”
Writing on the Public Knowledge blog, Harold Feld, senior vice president of the Media Access Project, one of the complainants, said that while Martin’s comments are welcome, the devil will be in the details.
“We all need to recognize that a lot remains unclear, we need to get more details, and who knows how it will actually play out on release,” he said.
Martin also said the commission was looking at complaints that wireless carriers denied text-messaging Relevant Products/Services “short codes” to some applicants. Verizon Wireless in late September denied a request by NARAL Pro-Choice America, an abortion-rights group, to use its mobile network for a sign-up text messaging program.
“I told the staff they should investigate any kind of complaint that comes to them about anything being blocked. We’re going to investigate that and make sure no one’s being blocked and no consumer’s being blocked from a particular type of access in a discriminatory type of way.”
