July 11th, 2008
Wow! FCC to punish Comcast
Cable company arrogance is taking one on the cheek today. Amazingly, FCC chair Kevin Martin will recommend Comcast be punished for its infamous throttling of BitTorrent traffic.
Just as Free Press and Public Knowledge had asserted in complaints to the FCC, Martin found that the company violated the FCC’s Internet principles, AP reports this morning.
“The commission has adopted a set of principles that protects consumers access to the Internet,” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told The Associated Press late Thursday. “We found that Comcast’s actions in this instance violated our principles.”
Martin said Comcast has “arbitrarily” blocked Internet access, regardless of the level of traffic, and failed to disclose to consumers that it was doing so.
The measure will be voted on Aug. 1.
At Free Press, general counsel Marvin Ammori said:
Nine months ago, Comcast was exposed for blocking free choice on the Internet. At every turn, Comcast has denied blocking, lied to the public and tried to avoid being held accountable. We have presented an open and shut case that Comcast broke the law.
The FCC now appears ready to take action on behalf of consumers. This is an historic test for whether the law will protect the open Internet. If the commission decisively rules against Comcast, it will be a remarkable victory for organized people over organized money.
Here’s (PDF) the original complaint. And the FCC principles (.doc).
