[Infowarrior] - FCC Calls Off Net Neutrality Talks

[Richard Forno]

FCC Calls Off Net Neutrality Talks

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703748904575411632530886558.html?

By AMY SCHATZ

WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission officials called off closed-door talks with lobbyists aimed at reaching a compromise on new rules to prevent Internet traffic from being blocked or slowed, saying they couldn't reach a workable compromise.

FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus, in a statement, said the effort "has been productive on several fronts, but has not generated a robust framework to preserve the openness and freedom of the Internet." He added, "all options remain on the table as we continue to seek broad input on this vital issue."

The agency yanked the plug on the private negotiations a day after news broke that Verizon Communications Inc. and Google Inc. had reached a separate agreement which would allow the phone giant to prioritize some broadband traffic. The companies have not announced the agreement yet.

Write to Amy Schatz at Amy.Schatz at wsj.com