New regulations for the broadband industry

FCC in move to regulate internet

Saturday, June 19, 2010
Stephanie Kirchgaessner, Financial Times

Published: June 18 2010 01:35 | Last updated: June 18 2010 01:35

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday took its first formal step towards the adoption of new regulations for the broadband industry, setting the stage for what could become one of the most expensive lobbying campaigns to hit Capitol Hill by major telecommunications and cable providers.

In a 3-2 vote along party lines, Democrats at the FCC on Thursday agreed to begin formal consideration to adopt new rules for high- speed internet companies such as AT&T and Comcast, which have until now operated virtually free of the FCC’s oversight. Technically, the FCC’s majority passed a motion to “open for commentâ€