Cable Modem Services Ruled As Telecom Service, Not Information Service

from the fine-lines dept

Last year, the FCC ruled that cable broadband service counted as an "information service" and not a "telecommunications service" - and, thus, was not subject to the same regulations (such as opening up lines to competitors) that telecom companies were subject to. Today, an appeals court ruled against the FCC and said that it looked like cable broadband was a telecommunications service, and the FCC should force them to open up. The FCC plans to appeal the ruling up the chain. While it seems like a pretty fine distinction, the end results may be substantial. Of course, both sets of regulations are somewhat outdated and could use a nice polishing based on the internet, but it appears we need to go one step at a time.

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