Tighter federal oversight urged of telecom firms' Net access

Associated Press: Tighter federal oversight urged of telecom firms' Net access.

Consumer advocates Tuesday said federal regulators need to increase oversight of telephone and cable companies that offer Internet access to ensure they aren't discriminating against certain providers of video and other Web content.

Gigi B. Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, a non-profit group that focuses on communications law, said the Federal Trade Commission should also require more disclosure from telephone and cable companies about the Internet access speeds they promise to deliver to consumers.

Sohn spoke on the first of a two-day workshop convened by the FTC to discuss ``network neutrality'' issues. The phrase is shorthand for the concept that all online traffic should be treated equally by Internet service providers. ...