Major Internet Company, Caught Red Handed, Has to Pay

Comcast, the second biggest American Internet provider, was heard by the Federal Communication Commission, which received some information about the fact that the company restricts users from properly connecting or decreases the speed for some applications.

The commission put forth a policy statement as far back as 2005, some of its main principles being infringed by Comcast. "Consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of their choice" and "are entitled to run applications and services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement," states the official paper. "Comcast has 'arbitrarily' blocked Internet access, regardless of the level of traffic, and failed to disclose to consumers that it was doing so," FFC Chairman Kevin Martin told the Associated Press journalists.

FCC's notification was made after Vuze, a video deliverer via peer-to-peer applications, realized that its clients were stopped or delayed from communicating. The company "has detected clandestine attempts to degrade and, in some cases, block its users' traffic by at least one network operator, Comcast. While Vof the tactics, it still must waste precious resources by engaging in a 'cat-and-mouse game' in which it must stay one step ahead of network operators' attempts to degrade its traffic," the company underscored in a press release the important role of the commission.

The head of FCC recommended, as Associated Press reports, some punishments for Comcast, whose case will be advanced to the other members of the communications committee. They will make a decision in their open meeting on August 1. Comcast's case is probably one of the many, as Vuze stated in its press release. FCC, due to the large number of Internet providers, cannot check on each of them, being able to, at most, mildly punish them.