It sounds like Comcast is about to get it’s hand slapped for blocking P2P file sharing on it’s network. That is good news, as it will send a message about screwing with folks internet access. The funny part is where the message is coming from.

The head of the Federal Communications Commission, Kevin Martin said he will recommend that the Comcast be punished for violating agency principles that guarantee customers open access to the Internet. "The commission has adopted a set of principles that protects consumers access to the Internet," Martin told The Associated Press. "We found that Comcast's actions in this instance violated our principles."

This is the same Kevin Martin that wants a free but filtered national broadband that we covered previously. Don’t mess with people’s file sharing, but it is a good idea to filter access to information. (we really want our pr0n). Ah, the duplicity of politicians, even appointed ones. It’s kind of like the obnoxious Uncle from when you were a kid. He’d point at your shoes so he could whack you upside the head while you were looking at your feet.

It’s not a done deal yet. Martin still has to circulate an order recommending enforcement action today among the other commissioners, who will vote on it Aug. 1. It is likely that the order will pass.

Martin's order will require Comcast to stop its practice of blocking P2P traffic; provide details to the FCC on how the practice has been used and to disclose to consumers details on future plans for managing its network.

This will be the first test of the FCC’s network neutrality principles. Network neutrality bills have been floated in the House and Senate, but they have never even come close to becoming law. Many large ISPs have been opposed to the idea, given the large amounts of money they spend maintaining their networks.

I understand why ISPs are against net neutrality, but it is a concern that ISPs may see it as a way to boost their revenue stream. The margins are tight in broadband and anything that could be used to add “value” could be used to jack up the price. Think Vista’s pricing structure is bad? How would you like Internet Light, Internet Home, Internet SOHO, Internet Professional, Internet Business, and Internet Ultimate Gamer with the lowest latency for gamers?

What are your thoughts on Comcast, and where this might lead with net neutrality? Fill us in below.

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Comcast, P2P, fcc, filtering, Kevin Martin, network neutrality

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