The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee defeated by an 23-8 margin, a provision within pending telecommunication legislation that would require Net Neutrality, a democratic backed initiative aimed at ensuring equal access and delivery of media content.

The basic concern is that Telco's might not provide external content companies with the same level of transport service they enjoy and or extend to affiliate partners. The legislation, which is still pending: To consider H.R. ____, a Committee Print on the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006

Extensive testimony from varied interest groups can be viewed:

http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/ram/03302006_telecom.ram
(Note: their audio does not start until 1:05 into the clip)

I will be covering this area in detail and with interviews in the coming month, stay tuned.

Well, Yes and No! If traditional broadcasters migrate to delivering content over IP, I think it then becomes only an issue of the transport technology protocols used and does not abrogate them from being accountable to the public and local municipalities.

If, on the other hand, we are talking about small Indie startups (I would classify as being similar to low power radio stations), then regulation should be minimal from a cost and compliance perspective. The reason, if compliance and fees are too great then small producers will not likely be able to clear those hurdles. The net effect will not only close off opportunities for Indies to succeed, but will stifle choice and will result in precisely what we have today: content as determined by traditional broadcasters.

There is also another concern about content and decency laws. Who will determine what is acceptable for IPTV, and is it more like cable or over the air TV? One of the reasons Howard Stern went to Satellite radio was precisely because of restriction on his content, which the public appears to want.

As I understand, the test for what is appropriate is based on "local standards". That raises the question, which is, how can content be local when an IP connection means content can be viewed anywhere, witness the Sligbox™.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/tech/article/0,2777,DRMN_23910_4480980,00.html