Advisory Group Advocates Internet Self-Regulation

Published June 9, 2010

A new organization to support Internet self-regulation and respond to Federal Communications Commission attempts at reclassifying broadband services under common carrier rules has been formed. The Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (TAG), established by a group of broadband and information technology companies and announced June 9, aims to “develop consensus on broadband network management practices and related technical issues that can affect users’ Internet experience,” according to a statement released by the organization.

In a prepared statement, Technology Policy Institute President Thomas Lenard said: “The creation of the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group is a welcome step towards self regulation of network management issues in the Internet community. It leaves network management decisions in the hands of the experts—engineers who actually understand the technical issues—and illustrates that it is possible for private actors to voluntarily handle disputes without government involvement.”

 

Dale Hatfield, a former FCC chief technologist, will be TAG’s facilitator. Companies participating in TAG include CISCO Systems, AT&T, Comcast, DISH Network, EchoStar, Google, Intel, Level 3 Communications, Microsoft, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon.

 

“I hope the creation of this forum will give the FCC pause in its push for re-classifying broadband services under common carrier rules given that the light-touch regulatory regime has allowed the creation of the vibrant Internet we have today,” Lenard said.