Comcast Network Practices Questioned by FCC

FCC chief criticizes Comcast network tactics used to restrict Internet users from sharing movies and other peer-to-peer file sharing.

The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday that an investigation of how Comcast Corp manages its network had raised further concerns about tactics used to restrict Internet users from file sharing.

Testifying before Senate lawmakers, U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said Comcast had used a "blunt" technique to impose broad restrictions on peer-to-peer file-sharing.

"Contrary to some claims, it does not appear that this technique was used only to occasionally delay traffic at particular nodes suffering from network congestion at that time," Martin said in prepared remarks before the Senate Commerce Committee.

The FCC is looking into complaints from consumer groups that cable operator Comcast has unreasonably blocked or hindered some file-sharing services, such as BitTorrent, that distribute TV shows and movies.

Comcast on Tuesday issued a statement reiterating that it believes its network management practices were a "reasonable choice" and saying that it was switching to a new technique by the end of the year.

Martin has previously expressed concern about some Comcast network practices, specifically that the company did not disclose more to customers and application developers about the way it manages traffic on its network.

Subsequently last month, Comcast announced it would change the way it manages its network and cooperate with BitTorrent and other critics to resolve the dispute. Comcast also said it would partner with a second file-sharing company and help create a "bill of rights" for consumers and Internet service providers.