US Congress joins 'Internet neutrality" debate

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Congress has plunged into a multi-million-dollar debate over Internet usage fees that are feared by computing giants like Google and Microsoft and championed by the phone companies.

Opponents of the new usage toll -- predominantly the IT heavyweights -- demand nothing less than "Internet neutrality" where all traffic remains free in the spirit of democratic usage and access.

But telephone giants like Verizon, AT&T and cable TV provider Comcast argue that opponents of the fee are standing in the way of progress since the charges would cover faster Internet access, and are waging their own "hands off the Internet" campaign.

"It would be the first time content is dictated by network owners," said Republican Senator Olympia Snowe.

"Our...