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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Paula Bruening Tel: 202-637-9800 Email: pbruening@cdt.org
Ari Schwartz |
Responds to FCC NOI on Broadband, Issues Report: "Public Policy Issues Raised by Broadband Technologies."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 6, 2000 - On December 1, the Center for Democracy and Technology filed comments in response the Federal Communications Commission's Notice of Inquiry on high-speed ("broadband") access to the Internet. A copy of CDT's filing is enclosed.
In its comments to the Commission, CDT argues that, as the Internet shifts from narrowband foundations to an architecture based on broadband technologies, "open access" to broadband Internet delivery services across a range of platforms is feasible, necessary and critical to maintaining First Amendment values. CDT asserts that if private industry does not act immediately to open its systems, the FCC must act to require such action.
We direct your attention in particular to CDT's "Broadband Checklist" included in the submission on page 16-18 of the NOI comments, and appended to the filing as Exhibit 2. This list sets out the essential elements of effective third-party access and should serve as a tool in determining whether a facility is providing open access.
CDT's response to the NOI also includes as an Appendix a Backgrounder Report produced by our Broadband Access Project, an initiative to objectively assess the factual and public policy issues raised by emerging broadband delivery technologies. The report, entitled "Public Policy Issues Raised by Broadband Technologies," was authored by Jenner & Block partner John Morris and the CDT staff. Mr. Morris was one of the lead attorneys representing plaintiffs in the challenge to the Communications Decency Act, where he helped establish the importance of the Internet as a network for free speech without gatekeepers.
We would be happy to talk further about the broadband access issue and the positions set out in CDT's submission to the FTC.
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The Center For Democracy & Technology 1634 Eye Street NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 (v) 202.637.9800 (f) 202.637.0968 Contact CDT Copyright © 2005 by Center for Democracy and Technology. |