Court Vacates FCC’s Order on Comcast and Net Neutrality
Posted by Jesse Ward on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 · 
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In a landmark decision yesterday, a federal appeals court ruled that the FCC lacks the authority to regulate network management practices, throwing into doubt the agency’s status as watchdog of the Web.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the FCC’s 2008 decision, concluding that the commission did not have the authority to order Comcast to stop throttling peer-to-peer traffic in the name of network management. The FCC lacked “any statutorily mandated responsibility” to enforce network neutrality rules, wrote Judge David Tatel. Read more
FCC Chairman Proposes New Net Neutrality Rules
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, September 21, 2009 · ·
The trade press was a buzz this morning awaiting a speech by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in which he outlined his plans to implement net neutrality and open Internet regulations.
Genachowski asked that the FCC adopt as rules the four existing principles on Internet access issued by the agency in 2005. In short, the principles affirm that consumers must be able to access the lawful Internet content, applications and services of their choice, and attach non-harmful devices to the network.
Chairman Genachowski also proposed the addition of two new principles. The first would prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or applications, while allowing for reasonable network management. The second principle would ensure that Internet access providers are transparent about network management practices. Read more
Netgear Helps Consumers Track Internet Usage
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 27, 2009 · ·
In August, Netgear Inc. plans to introduce a $190 router that will provide the first easy way for users to learn about their personal Internet traffic. Netgear said it will include the feature on future models, eventually making it standard, and provide software upgrades for older devices.
The device comes at a time that many ISPs are attempting to rein in traffic on their networks by limiting consumer downloads. Those limits are mostly set high; Comcast allows 250 gigabytes per month, and Time Warner allows a maximum of 100 gigabytes per month. But some ISPs, led by Time Warner Cable Inc., are attempting to set lower limits and charge overage fees. Read more