FCC Rules Against Comcast for Blocking Web Access : Indybay

In a landmark decision, the Federal Communications Commission has ruled that cable giant Comcast violated federal policy when it when it blocked Internet traffic for some subscribers and has ordered the company to change the way it manages its network.

In a 3-2 vote, the FCC approved an “enforcement order” that would require Comcast to stop blocking traffic and publicly disclose its methods for interfering with Internet access. FCC Chair Kevin Martin announced the ruling on Friday.

Comcast spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice said in a statement that the company was “disappointed in the commission”s divided conclusion because we believe that our network management choices were reasonable."

The FCC action arose when bloggers reported that Comcast customers who used file-sharing software like BitTorrent were noticing their transmissions were aborting prematurely. Tests by the Associated Press and others showed Comcast “actively interferes” with attempts by some subscribes to share files online by sending fake signals that cut off the connection between them. The report led to a complaint by the group Free Press and others that Comcast was violating agency principles.

Craig Aaron is the Communications Director for Free Press. He joins me from Washington DC.

Craig Aaron, Communications Director for Free Press.

FCC Rules Against Comcast for Blocking Web Access

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