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Net Neutrality Advocates, Foes Debate Impact Of FCC Chair's "Notice of Inquiry"

April 2, 2007

The fact that Federal Communications chair Kevin Martin has indicated a "notice of inquiry" into the need for becoming involved in network neutrality issues is being greeted with skepticism by both sides in the debate about whether such regulations are needed.

That's largely due to the status of an inquiry as not a rulemaking action, but simply a need for more info that may or may not be used to inform a decision to delve in deeper from a potential regulatory standpoint.

"An [inquiry] just doesn't indicate any will on behalf of the commission to do anything," Art Brodsky, spokesman for the advocacy group Public Knowledge, tells the National Journal's Technology Daily.  

Yet the same publication, and article (which I just linked to) quotes Libertarian-oriented Free State Foundation president Randolph May as concerned that even just an inquiry on Chair Martin's part could be a precursor to restrictions the group doesn't feel are necessary.

"Because it's an intermediary step, it means any ultimate rules take longer than they otherwise might," he tells the National Journal's David Hatch.

"Chairmen have the ability to relegate many things to the dustbin," added Blair Levin, former chief of staff to one-time FCC Chair Reed Hundt and now managing director at the investment firm Stifel Nicolaus.




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