July 3, 2007 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- The Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov) announced last week it is opposed to net neutrality regulation, releasing a report that specifies it finds little reason to protect consumers and content providers from attempts by large telecommunications providers to charge more for faster delivery.
In the 170-page report on broadband availability and connectivity, compiled by FTC staff from several different divisions, FTC chair Deborah Platt Majoras argues that broadband Internet access was "moving toward more -- not less -- competition."
"In the absence of significant market failure or demonstrated consumer harm, policy makers should be particularly hesitant to enact new regulation in this area," wrote Majoras. "The primary reason for caution is simply that we do not know what the net effects of potential conduct by broadband providers will be on all consumers, including, among other things, the prices that consumers may pay for Internet access, the quality of Internet access and other services that will be offered, and the choices of content and applications that may be available to consumers in the marketplace."
Majoras' position mostly resembled statements she made last year while addressing the conservative-oriented organization, Progress & Freedom Foundation. Meanwhile, FTC commissioner Jon Leibowitz issued a separate statement that supported the FTC's stance on consumer protection, but said that reactive antitrust actions might not work as well to protect consumers as introducing net neutrality in legislation.
