Press Release
FCC Questions Comcast's Treatment of Voice Competitors
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission is investigating concerns that Comcast's new network management practices degrade the sound quality of competing voice services but leave the company's own Digital Voice service unaffected.
Last summer, the FCC ordered Comcast to stop blocking users' access to legal online content and services after a months-long investigation into a complaint from Free Press and Public Knowledge. Comcast was also required to fully disclose every detail of both old and new network management practices so that the agency could monitor the company's behavior moving forward.
In a letter sent to Comcast on Sunday, the FCC asked why the company had failed to disclose "the distinct effects that Comcast's new network management technique has on Comcast's VoIP offering versus those of its competitors." The FCC also requested "a detailed justification for Comcast's disparate treatment of its own VoIP service compared to that offered by other VoIP providers on its network."
Free Press outlined similar concerns in a letter filed with the FCC in October after Comcast made its new network management practices public. Free Press also expressed concern over Comcast's different treatment of video services and urged further investigation into the company's new practices.
Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:
"This letter is a positive sign that the FCC's Comcast decision was not a one-and-done action on Net Neutrality. We are pleased that the commission is conducting an ongoing investigation into network management practices that might impact users' access to the online content and services of their choice.
"An open Internet cannot tolerate arbitrary interference from Internet service providers. Congress and the FCC must close any legal loopholes that permit anti-competitive behavior to thrive.
"As the agency transitions into the new administration, this letter demonstrates that vigilance for consumer protection will not be put on hold."
Read the FCC's letter to Comcast: http://www.fcc.gov/ComcastLetter011809.pdf
Read Free Press' letter to the FCC: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6520175587
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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
Last summer, the FCC ordered Comcast to stop blocking users' access to legal online content and services after a months-long investigation into a complaint from Free Press and Public Knowledge. Comcast was also required to fully disclose every detail of both old and new network management practices so that the agency could monitor the company's behavior moving forward.
In a letter sent to Comcast on Sunday, the FCC asked why the company had failed to disclose "the distinct effects that Comcast's new network management technique has on Comcast's VoIP offering versus those of its competitors." The FCC also requested "a detailed justification for Comcast's disparate treatment of its own VoIP service compared to that offered by other VoIP providers on its network."
Free Press outlined similar concerns in a letter filed with the FCC in October after Comcast made its new network management practices public. Free Press also expressed concern over Comcast's different treatment of video services and urged further investigation into the company's new practices.
Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:
"This letter is a positive sign that the FCC's Comcast decision was not a one-and-done action on Net Neutrality. We are pleased that the commission is conducting an ongoing investigation into network management practices that might impact users' access to the online content and services of their choice.
"An open Internet cannot tolerate arbitrary interference from Internet service providers. Congress and the FCC must close any legal loopholes that permit anti-competitive behavior to thrive.
"As the agency transitions into the new administration, this letter demonstrates that vigilance for consumer protection will not be put on hold."
Read the FCC's letter to Comcast: http://www.fcc.gov/ComcastLetter011809.pdf
Read Free Press' letter to the FCC: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6520175587
###
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
