Telecom Commission to Identify Responses to Future Metered Broadband

Although Time Warner Cable has shelved a proposed broadband bandwidth metering trial that was set for Austin this fall, the city's telecommunication commission is preparing possible responses in case the issue rises again.

Chairman Chip Rosenthal said public input last month justified further inquiry into the metered bandwidth issue, and that the commission is now looking for policy input from experts in regulatory matters. That process, which may take months, begins with Wednesday's meeting of the Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission.

Rosenthal said the commission faces two challenges:

"As far as we can tell, the city has little regulatory authority over the [Time Warner Cable] broadband Internet product. Yes, TWC does hold a city-granted franchise, but that agreement only covers cable video services," Rosenthal said. "(Also) the grounds for action are more uncertain now that TWC has rescinded metering (for the time being, so they say). How do you ask for relief when you aren't being damaged? So, the current effort may end up being groundwork, so that we're better if they do come back."