Net neutrality may be a blow to Comcast

Philadelphia-based Comcast is reacting to the Federal Communication Commission’s new proposal on managing internet traffic.

Philadelphia-based Comcast is reacting to the Federal Communication Commission’s new proposal on managing internet traffic.

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[audio: 090922pcnet.mp3]

The FCC’s responsibility is two-fold, to keep the internet free and open, and to keep an eye on the health of telecom industry.

Doug Faith, an internet service provider in Conshohocken, says the FCC faces a conundrum in how it tries to manage the internet.

Faith: Net Neutrality means unlimited access to all kinds of applications including Skype and Google Talk that allow you to make phone calls over the internet. But that could undermine the cell phone industry.

If the rules say you have to make all your devices open – at that point you’ve circumvented their entire voice services component, right? You can install Skype on your Blackberry and make voice calls over the internet.

FCC rules governing internet traffic regulations are not finalized – they are being drafted and will be made available for public response in October before approval.