Comcast Violates FCC Policy; Blocks File Sharing Websites Anonymously

Comcast is under the microscope for allegedly restricting internet access to file sharing peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and violating FCC policy for open internet access to all.

Internet Service Provider and cable network giant Comcast is under the microscope for allegedly restricting internet access to users of file sharing peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and other high demanding bandwidth applications and websites.

The U.S. FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is targeting Comcast for violating the agency’s guidelines on providing open internet access to all. The company is accused of blocking P2P traffic across its network and keeping their actions anonymous from customers and others.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is expected to schedule a vote on the issue for the commission’s next open meeting taking place on August 1st, after circulating a proposal to the agency’s five commissioners of the alleged complaint against Comcast.

In response to the accusation, Comcast has stated that the FCC has no authority to enforce it’s open-internet policy and that the company’s choices in network management are reasonable.

“The carefully limited measures that Comcast takes to manage traffic on its broadband network are a reasonable part of Comcast’s strategy to ensure a high-quality, reliable Internet experience for all Comcast High-Speed Internet customers and are used by many other ISPs around the world,” Comcast’s spokesperson Sena Fitzmaurice issued in a statement.

“Comcast’s customer service agreements and policies have always informed Comcast customers that broadband capacity is not unlimited, and that the network is managed for the benefit of all customers,” said Fitzmaurice.