Microsoft backs down on net neutrality

Wants to have its cake and eat it too.

Microsoft seems to be backing away from its long running support for network neutrality.

Speaking to an FCC hearing on the issue, the software giant admitted it has a vested interest in ensuring that its numerous web applications and services are delivered to consumers without interference from an ISP.

However it warned against "the adoption of unnecessary or insufficiently tailored regulations, such as a prohibition on all types of discrimination."

In short we want net neutrality but we don't want any laws that will stuff us up.

The filing said, "Although the actions the Commission takes, or fails to take, in this proceeding will have far reaching consequences for the open Internet, the record reveals often sharp disagreement regarding the need for, and appropriate nature of, regulation as a means to preserve the open Internet."

It said that the National Broadband Plan recently reaffirmed the idea that broadband is a powerful engine for innovation and investment in America because the Internet is an open platform, where anyone can communicate and do business with anyone else on a level playing field.

It continued, "At the same time, the adoption of unnecessary or insufficiently tailored regulations, such as a prohibition on all types of discrimination, could have the unintended consequence of limiting innovation and investment going forward."

The Vole suggested that the commission should enshrine its current broadband policy statement, which stipulates that consumers should be allowed to access lawful content and applications on the Internet. It also endorsed the FCC's proposal to add an additional principle obligating ISPs to make disclosures about how they manage traffic on their networks.

However Microsoft also said that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski's call for an explicit non-discrimination requirement, which calls for ISPs to face regulations that would preclude them from novel methods of network management or striking side deals guaranteeing speedy delivery of certain content or applications, was not the way forward.