WASHINGTON/CHICAGO - U.S. communications regulators voted unanimously Thursday to support an open Internet rule that would prevent telecom network operators from barring or blocking content based on the revenue it generates.

The proposed rule now goes to the public for comment until Jan. 14, after which the Federal Communications Commissions will review the feedback and possibly seek more comment. A final rule is not expected until the spring of next year.

"I am pleased that there is broad agreement inside the commission that we should move forward with a healthy and transparent process on an open Internet," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said.

The vote came despite a flurry of lobbying against the net neutrality rule by telecommunications service providers like AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications Inc and Qwest Communications International Inc, which say it would strip them of the ability to manage their networks effectively and would stifle innovation and competition.

The rule would prevent operators from discriminating against any legal content a third party wants to deliver to consumers on their networks, though it allows for "reasonable" network management to unclog congestion, clear viruses and spam, and block unlawful content like child pornography or the transfer of pirated content.

Bye-Bye Mike! The full FCC slate of three Democrats, led by Genachowski, and two Republicans voted in favor of issuing a proposed network neutrality rule for public comment.

But the two Republicans, Robert McDowell and Meredith Attwell Baker, did express concern with the content of the rule, saying they do not share the majority's view that the Internet is showing breaks and cracks and that the government is the best tool to fix it. They also questioned whether the FCC has the legal authority to regulate the Internet network.

Nonetheless, the vote was 5-to-0 for proceeding with the rulemaking, and 3-to-2 for approving the notice's language in its entirety, said Jen Howard, an FCC spokesman.                                                                

The FCC will accept public comments until Jan. 14; then it will review them and can ask for further comment, with replies due by March 5.

"We commend the FCC for beginning the process," said Senators Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, and Olympia Snowe, a Maine Republican, in a joint statement. They proposed a net neutrality bill in the last session of Congress.

NET NEUTRALITY

Advocates of net neutrality such as Google Inc (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and public interest groups say Internet service providers must be barred from blocking or slowing traffic according to how much revenue the content generates.

But service providers say the increasing volume of bandwidth-hogging services, such as video sharing, requires active management of their networks.

AT&T President of Operations John Stankey said he is anticipating the rule with as much dread as if he were going to the funeral of a dear friend.

"Regulators should understand that there's plenty of competition in this market," Stankey said at the Supercomm trade show in Chicago.

Verizon Communications warned of unintended consequences from government rulemaking and added it is seeking "common ground" with others in the industry on policies that would apply to all.

"The Internet ecosystem is serving consumers very well, and there is no problem that requires new government regulation," said Tom Tauke, executive vice president of policy and communications.

Late on Wednesday, Verizon Wireless softened its opposition by issuing a joint policy blog statement with Google. They said they believe it is essential that the Internet remain an unrestricted and open platform.

Google and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), are partnering to develop an Android-based mobile phone.

"We have cleared the first hurdle in this process, and are on the road towards creating a framework that promotes innovation and consumer choice on the Internet," said the Washington-based Open Internet Coalition, which represents Google, Amazon and eBay Inc. Our good friends at © 2009 Reuters www.newsmax.com/newsfront/FCC_Internet/2009/10/23/276134.html

                                                                         
  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GETTING READY TO STEP ON CONSERVATIVE RADIO, INTERNET AND TV!