Comcast Pledges Cooperation with FCC on Broadband Service

Executive VP Cohen: Cable Operator Will Answer Any Federal Communications Commission Questions on Service Policies

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/9/2008 12:23:00 PM

Comcast said Wednesday that it is ready to work with the Federal Communications Commission on any questions it has about the company's broadband service.

That came in response to FCC chairman Kevin Martin's question-and-answer session at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where he said the FCC would work to ensure that networks were not unfairly discriminating against Web content or application. A complaint was filed against Comcast for allegedly restricting peer-to-peer traffic.

"We look forward to responding to any FCC inquiries regarding our broadband-network management," Comcast executive vice president David Cohen said in an e-mail to B&C. "We believe our practices are in accordance with the FCC's policy statement on the Internet, where the commission clearly recognized that reasonable network management is necessary for the good of all customers. Comcast does not, has not and will not block any Web sites or online applications, including peer-to-peer services."

Martin also suggested in Las Vegas that, for the sake of transparency, networks should disclose when they exercise that "reasonable network management."

Cohen was OK with that, as well. He pointed out that the company already had a blanket disclosure of its right to manage the flow of bits and bytes in order to assure a quality experience for all of its customers, and the cable operator posted frequently asked questions on the topic at Comcast.net to "help consumers to understand how we manage the network in their best interests."

But he also said Comcast "plans to work with the commission in its desire to bring more transparency for consumers regarding broadband-network management."