In the past, we have said that a model for Net Neutrality regulation could be the program-access rules, which guarantee access to most of the content on cable systems.
The notion came up last spring, when Verizon, opponent of Net Neutrality, filed a complaint against Cablevision with the FCC, over access to programming Verizon wanted for its fiber network.
When the complaint was filed last March, we noted at the time: “Verizon's complaint demonstrates that a properly tailored government rule (whether program access or net neutrality) can promote competition and restrain the abuse of market power.”
Today, we have more proof of that. The Commission released an order dismissing the complaint because Verizon and Cablevision worked out their differences over the carriage of three regional sports networks at issue.
There's no reason why this type of process couldn't work with Net Neutrality complaints as well if such a process were properly structured with rules in place to prevent such behavior.
There is no vast regulatory mechanism at work here. There is no price regulation at work here. None of the parade of horribles thrown out by opponents of Net Neutrality came to pass. Two companies, in this instance, worked out a reasonable agreement. We should give this model a chance.