Broadband Competition on Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Agenda

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2009 - Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl, D-Wis., and tanking member Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, announced that broadband internet competition would be among the major subjects on the agenda for the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee this Congress.

"In these challenging economic times, the need for strong antitrust law to protect competition has never been greater," Kohl said. "The Antitrust Subcommittee will continue to work to ensure that the antitrust laws are vigorously enforced throughout the economy."

Among the specific agenda items Kohl and Hatch outlined was broadband internet access:

"We plan to continue to closely examine competition in the broadband industry in the year ahead,” the subcommittee said.

“Maintaining competitive choices in this industry is crucial to consumers and the health of the national economy. We will also examine the issue of network neutrality principles and monitor whether consumers continue to have the freedom to access the internet content they wish without interference from their internet service provider."