open Internet

In a historic decision, the Federal Communication Commission has declared that cable-TV and Internet service provider Comcast interfered with Internet users' rights to share specific content, including television shows and movies.

Under strong pressure from open-Internet advocacy groups, the FCC ruled 3-2 Friday that Comcast monitored customers' Web traffic and blocked specific types of connections.

Around-the-Clock Blocking

The Federal Communications Commission is reportedly ready to take enforcement action against cable-TV giant Comcast for blocking Internet traffic. An investigation began after complaints from the public-interest group Free Press.

Philadelphia-based Comcast is the country's second-largest Internet service provider, with 14.1 million subscribers.

Six wireless industry giants have formed an Open Patent Alliance (OPA) to foster the development and deployment of WiMAX worldwide. Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Clearwire, Intel, Samsung Electronics, and Sprint Nextel are working on a competitive and open intellectual-property rights model that will help WiMAX ecosystem participants obtain one-stop access to patent licenses at a predictable cost.

The goal is to stimulate innovation through broader choice and lower equipment and service costs, said Barry West, president of Sprint's Xohm business unit.

Six wireless industry giants have formed an Open Patent Alliance (OPA) to foster the development and deployment of WiMAX worldwide. Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Clearwire, Intel, Samsung Electronics, and Sprint Nextel are working on a competitive and open intellectual-property rights model that will help WiMAX ecosystem participants obtain one-stop access to patent licenses at a predictable cost.

The goal is to stimulate innovation through broader choice and lower equipment and service costs, said Barry West, president of Sprint's Xohm business unit.

The Internet neutrality issue has once again taken center stage in Congress, where two bills are under scrutiny. During a hearing to discuss pending legislation, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet noted that commercial success for many Internet-based companies depends on an open Internet.