AT&T Offers New Position on Net Neutrality

From PC World: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should back away from creating strict nondiscrimination rules requiring broadband service providers to carry all Internet content and applications, because such net neutrality rules could hurt investment in networks, AT&T told the FCC Tuesday.

AT&T, a longtime opponent of strong net neutrality rules, nevertheless suggests in a letter to the FCC that "preserving the open character of the Internet is critically important to ensuring that all consumers have the opportunity to be creators of content and innovators from their homes or their garages."

However, the FCC shouldn't prohibit broadband providers from entering into commercial agreements in which they provide "value-added" broadband services to some Internet companies, AT&T said.

And the agency should balance the open Internet principles with policies that "preserve and expand incentives that drive the substantial private investment necessary so that the promise of the Internet is fully realized and maximally available," wrote James Cicconi, AT&T's senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs.

The FCC in October voted to open a rulemaking process that would create formal net neutrality rules. While AT&T's letter appears to be a new approach for the company, some net neutrality supporters said the letter doesn't outline a major change in the company's position.

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