Internet users are protesting the approval of a bill that they believe would
lead to restrictive or discriminatory access to online content.

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has recently
approved a bill that would help phone and other telecommunications firms
compete with cable companies in the video industry.

The committee did not accept the amendment by Senators Olympia Snowe
(R-Maine) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) that would disallow phone and cable
firms from restricting or regulating access to their broadband networks for
site content reasons.

Hundreds of interest groups fear that network operators might use this
prerogative to favor partners or discriminate certain Web sites or users.

They further cited the fact that the successful development of the Internet
is mainly due to the absence of restrictions regarding its use and access.
They argue that the bill would impede the Internet’s current rapid growth.

On the other hand, the proponents of the bill, along with cable and phone
companies, contend that the proposed amendment would actually stifle the
Internet’s development. They said that network providers would be
discouraged to invest more on their broadband systems if they would not be
allowed to charge consumers for the use of their systems.