CES: Martin pledges Comcast investigation

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin told attendees at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas the FCC plans to investigate alleged blocking of some peer-to-peer Internet traffic by cable TV giant Comcast. Several consumer advocates and other groups have called on the FCC since late last year to investigate and fine Comcast for allegedly blocking the traffic (Comcast admitted to the Associated Press a few months ago to "delaying," but not blocking traffic.) An FCC investigation is expected to turn on whether Comcast's actions were "reasonable network practices" to properly manage traffic, though if that's the case, the FCC may call on service providers to publicize such practices.

Meanwhile, word on the show floor at CES had it that AT&T and other ISPs are likely to begin filtering Internet content in an effort to combat piracy.

For more:
- read this Associated Press story on Martin's comments in The New York Times
- and this story about filtering practices in The New York Times

Related articles:
- Comcast chief Brian Roberts had only good news in his CES keynote yesterday