Sen. Ron Wyden on Thursday proposed legislation aimed at preventing high-speed Internet service providers from charging content companies extra so consumers have faster access to their Web sites or receive special treatment.
The Oregon Democrat said he was pushing the legislation to ensure smaller start-ups trying to do business on the Internet would not be outgunned by bigger companies.
"Neutrality in technology enables small businesses to thrive on the Internet, and allows folks to start small and dream big, and that's what I want to protect with this legislation," he said in a statement.
Providers of high-speed Internet service, known as broadband, have said consumers would be able to access any Internet site they choose.
Yet some broadband providers like Verizon Communications and AT&T Inc. have said they would like to charge more for services that use faster, private Internet networks, like for downloading movies.
Wyden's measure would specifically bar network operators from creating a priority channel where content providers could pay for faster access to customers.
"People get nervous when they hear a member of Congress talk about regulating the Internet and America's broadband networks," said Verizon spokesman David Fish. "This is an attempt to fix a hypothetical problem that doesn't exist."
However, companies like Web search engine Google Inc. and Internet telephone provider Vonage Holdings Corp. counter that a private fast Internet could block users of their services and stifle innovation.
It was unclear whether Wyden's bill would advance. Sen. Ted Stevens, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over the issue, said he would prefer to have one comprehensive bill that overhauls U.S. communications laws.
Stevens, an Alaska Republican, has also said he would like to embrace some form of Internet neutrality but noted it was hard to define and get consensus among lawmakers.
