Congress Inspects Data Caps, Online Video Rules
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WashingtonPost.com reports that the practice of charging Internet customers by how much data they consume took center stage in a House hearing Wednesday, pitting Web firms such as Netflix against cable and telecom companies in a debate over whether such billing policies are anticompetitive.
The practice known as data caps, or usage-based pricing, was among a broad set of issues debated in the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing Wednesday on the “Future of Video.”
Highlighting the swift changes of the industry, where new battles lines are being drawn and competition is shifting, Dish Network chairman Charlie Ergen expressed concern over Verizon Wireless’ spectrum and marketing deal with cable firms.
“We certainly would have a concern where two vicious competitors might get together and agree not to compete with each other and preclude others from competing with them,” Ergen said to lawmakers.
