net neutrality

Internet Society Statement on Network Neutrality Ruling in the United States

Posted on by joly

Internet_Society The Internet Society released the following statement from Bob Hinden, Chair of the Internet Society Board of Trustees:
“Today, the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals in the United States issued a major decision with regards to the Federal Communication Commission’s Open Internet rules.

The Internet Society has consistently argued that the core principles of transparency, freedom of choice, and unimpeded access to content and applications should be at the heart of any policy action with respect to network neutrality.

Notwithstanding the Court’s ruling today, these principles that have allowed the Internet to grow, scale, and connect people and ideas around the world remain valid. Anything less would jeopardize the continued success and availability of the Internet as a tool for open communication and economic growth.

The Internet Society urges parties in the United States to keep a sharp focus on the need to create an environment that allows users to remain in control of their Internet experience, thus empowering them to participate in the open Internet.”
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Internet Society lends initial support to Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG)

Posted on by joly

The Internet Society’s North American Bureau, to which ISOC-NY is affiliated, is lending initial support to a U.S. industry effort to form a Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG) to develop consensus on broadband network management practices or other related technical issues that can affect users’ Internet experience. This is a collaborative industry effort to identify and address operational issues that have been at the heart of some of the recent issues attracting governmental attention. Constructively, this activity could result in organized, forward-looking discussion driven by key stakeholders and also provide opportunities to educate and inform policy makers by shedding light on underlying technical issues from the perspectives of diverse stakeholders.

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Internet Society Publishes Statement on Open Inter-networking

Posted on by joly

GENEVA–26 February 2010–The Internet Society this week submitted a paper on “Open Inter-networking” to a Net Neutrality expert group convened by French Minister of Internet Economy, Nathalie Kosciusko MorizetI. The paper proposes a set of policy considerations derived from the need to preserve access, choice, and transparency as key to ensuring the Internet remains a platform for innovation and economic development.

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ISOC Pres. Lynn St Amour to address FCC Open Internet Workshop 1/13/10

Posted on by joly

Lynn St. Amour, President of the Internet Society, has been invited to provide framing remarks at the upcoming FCC Open Internet Workshop on Innovation, Investment, and the Open Internet tomorrow, Wednesday, January 13 at 16:30 EST (23:30 UTC) at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

ISOC-NY Members are encouraged to contribute to the discussion.

Lynn’s remarks are filed here and are transcribed below:

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ISOC-NY Poll – Do you support Net Neutrality?

Posted on by joly

There have been two recent NYC events that have pitched supporters and opponents of Net Neutrality against each other – the TechDebate and the NYC Council Public Hearing. The FCC has mooted its six principles of net neutrality And Rep. Ed Markey has introduced the new bill H.R. 3458 aka the ‘Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009′ in Congress. For their part, Republicans have come up with two opposing bills. As noted in the Council hearing the Internet Society’s stance on this matter is somewhat neutral, suggesting that regulators concentrate on optimizing user choice.

Where do you stand? Please click the link below to vote!

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NYC Council holds Net Neutrality Hearing – 11/20/2009

Posted on by joly

NYC In Feb. 2007 members of the NYC Council Committee on Technology in Government Committee introduced Resolution 712, calling on the federal government to pass net neutrality legislation, an unlikely prospect at the time. Now, with fresh faces in Washington, the FCC has taken up the cause, establishing the six principles of net neutrality. A new bill H.R. 3458 aka the ‘Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009’ was introduced in Congress, and is currently before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. For their part, Republicans have come up with two opposing bills.

The NYC Resolution has, in recognition of this, been appropriately amended as Res. No. 712-A, and a hearing was scheduled for November 20 at City Hall.  The FCC has made a request for public comment on this matter and the Committee on Technology in Government will draw from the hearing’s testimonies to draft a letter that includes citywide input.

  • Capture of the live video webcast is below.
  • Alternative video on punkcast.com
  • Twitter feed http://www.twitter.com/nycctechcomm| tag #reso712A.
  • Written Testimony
  • Full transcript
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    • ICANN posts Draft Applicants Handbook Version 2

    Posted on by joly

    icann logo ICANN has produced a revised version of its gTLD Applicants Handbook.

    Many alterations/additions have been made in provisions for “community-based” and “geographic name” applicants that will be of particular interest to potential applicants for a .nyc TLD. In particular details of ‘comparative evaluation’ procedures for competing applications are enumerated, as are the processes for individual or community based objections to applications.

    Initial application fees will be $185,100. Notably, those repeating applications from the 2000 round will get a $86,000 discount.

    An edited version of some relevant provisions is below.

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    FCC chief says Comcast violated Internet rules

    Posted on by joly

    An AP article reports that Kevin Martin, head of the Federal Communications Commission, will recommend that Comcast be punished for violating agency principles that guarantee customers open access to the Internet.

    Martin will circulate an order recommending enforcement action against the company on Friday among his fellow commissioners, who will vote on the measure at an open meeting on Aug. 1.

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    FCC Announces Public Hearing on “Broadband and the Digital Future”

    Posted on by David Solomonoff

    The Federal Communications Commission today announced a public hearing to be held on Monday, July 21, 2008. It will be held at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The hearing is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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    InternetforEveryone.org is launched at PDF Forum

    Posted on by joly

    internetforeveryone.org At the Personal Democracy Forum this week FCC Commissioner Michael Adelstein announced the formation of InternetforEveryone.org – a new coalition to advocate universal Internet access in the United States. Headed by Free Press, the coalition involves many and varied organizations including the ACLU and Google. Individuals are also welcome to join.


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    FCC requests comments on plan for free, censored broadband

    Posted on by David Solomonoff

    We previously reported that the FCC plans to provide universal wireless broadband with content filtering. In a press release on Friday, June 20th they request comments on the plan to license access to the 2.1GHz Advanced Wireless Spectrum (AWS). The winning bidder must use 25% of the spectrum for free two-way broadband Internet service at a minimum rate of 768kps downstream. They must be able to provide the free service to 50% of the U.S in four years and at least 95% by the end of the 10-year license term. Continue reading →

    Supreme Court to review case of independent ISP vs. AT&T

    Posted on by David Solomonoff

    US Supreme CourtThere’s been some discussion on the ISOC-NY discuss list as to whether a free market solution or government initiatives are best way to improve broadband access in the U.S. Part of that discussion is the question as to whether there actually has been an open and competitive market for broadband services.

    A case where an independent ISP, Linkline Communications, alleged that AT&T charged excessive access fees that prevented them from competing in the broadband market will now be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco had ruled against AT&T but the Bush Administration’s Office of U.S. Solicitor General sided with AT&T, maintaining that federal antitrust laws don’t cover the LinkLine claims. Continue reading →