Snowe Welcomes Creation of Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group

Press Release

U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today welcomed the announcement by several Internet stakeholders that they are launching a Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG or TAG) to build consensus on broadband network management practices and other technical issues that affect the operation of the Internet.

"Given the rapid advancement in Internet technology and innovation, the creation of a Technical Advisory Group will serve as an invaluable resource to the Internet community, the public, and policymakers alike. The Internet is a global collaborative effort by countless stakeholders involved in the development of its standards, technologies, investment, operation, and management. Clearly, the TAG plans to emulate the cooperative nature of the Internet ecosystem to ensure our nation remains on the cutting-edge of technology while preserving the inherent freedom and openness of the Internet. I look forward to learning more about this group as it is formalized in the coming months, because the TAG should provide a much-needed technical voice to the ongoing dialog on many of the issues we are facing today."

This week, key broadband and high-tech companies, including AT&T, Comcast, Google, and Microsoft announced their intention to create an advisory board comprised of expert engineers and led by former Federal Communications Commission CTO Dale Hatfield to establish guidelines for Internet access rules. Senator Snowe has been a longtime advocate of expanding broadband access to the nation's rural communities and ensuring unfettered and open Internet access.

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