A bill that would require the Federal Communications Commision to prohibit Internet service providers, such as Verizon and Time Warner, from striking deals with content providers, such as Netflix, to provide them faster and more reliable traffic was introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday.
Doris Matsui of California, takes place as the Federal Communications Commission is accepting public comment through Sept. 10 on their proposed open Internet rules, which could allow such deals yet prohibit providers from slowing down a consumer’s Internet access.
Leahy and Matsui’s bill however calls to outright ban such paid prioritization agreements.
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| Senator Patrick J. Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, introduced legislation that would ban deals like Netflix’s arrangement to connect directly to Comcast’s system to avoid network congestion. |
The Online Consumer and Consumer Choice Act, introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Rep. Doris Matsui of California, takes place as the Federal Communications Commission is accepting public comment through Sept. 10 on their proposed open Internet rules, which could allow such deals yet prohibit providers from slowing down a consumer’s Internet access.
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| Congresswoman Matsui |
“Americans are speaking loud and clear - they want an Internet that is a platform for free expression and innovation, where the best ideas and services can reach consumers based on merit rather than based on a financial relationship with a broadband provider,” Leahy said.
“Our country cannot afford ‘pay-for-play’ schemes that divide our Internet into tiers based on who has the deepest pockets. The Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act will ban paid prioritization and ensure fair competition and consumer choices online,” Congresswoman Matsui said in a statement.
The proposed legislation however would not apply to “interconnection deals,” such as ones in place between Netflix and Comcast or 
Verizon. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said Friday that his agency will be investigating such agreements.
“At the heart of this is whether ISPs that provide connectivity in the final mile to the home can advantage or disadvantage content providers, and therefore advantage or disadvantage consumers,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler also said Friday that the agency is looking to re-implement open Internet protections that were struck down by the federal appeals court in January.
Other lawmakers have been attempting to propose bills to direct the FCC regarding net neutrality, including Congressman Bob Lotta (R-Ohio) who recently introduced legislation to limit the FCC’s authority to regulate broadband Internet.
