FCC May Set Rules Allowing Bells Exclusive Access Over DSL Lines

(sub. req.): The FCC could change the rules regulating phone companies’ Net services as early as today, reports WSJ, making it more difficult for independent ISPs to offer high-speed services.

Under the change, phone companies no longer would be subject to common carrier regulations on their Internet lines (DSL lines), including rules that require them to lease capacity to competitors.

The change would allow phone companies to kick competitors such as EarthLink and AOL off their DSL systems. They could be forced to either focus on providing dial-up or emerging technologies such as wireless Internet.

Meanwhile, content providers/companies such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft also are pressing for “Internet neutrality” protections to be included in the rule, so that the DSL providers don’t block their sites.

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