Broadband Internet Access: Background and Issues

Gilroy, Angele A. ; Kruger, Lennard G.

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

关键词: Technology;    Government regulation;    Internet service providers - Law and legislation;    Economic policy;   

RP-ID  :  IB10045
RP-ID  :  IB10045 2003-07-01

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

From a public policy perspective, the goals are to ensure that broadband deployment is timely, that industry competes fairly, and that service is provided to all sectors and geographical locations of American society. The federal government -- through Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- is seeking to ensure fair competition among the players so that broadband will be available and affordable in a timely manner to all Americans who want it. While the FCC's position is not to intervene at this time, some assert that legislation is necessary to ensure fair competition and timely broadband deployment. One proposal would ease certain legal restrictions and requirements, imposed by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, on incumbent telephone companies who provide high speed data (broadband) access. Another proposal would compel cable companies to provide "open access" to competing Internet service providers.