Google-Verizon talks spark debate over net neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission has called off closed-door talks with telecommunications industry giants over how the Internet should be regulated. The announcement comes after Google and Verizon issued denials of media reports this week that the companies had negotiated a deal that would enable them to charge different rates for content carried over wireless broadband services. A tiered system of Internet quality and speed goes against the principals of net neutrality - a concept that says internet service providers must treat all content as equal and deliver standardized service to customers.

Senator Al Franken warned of pending merger deals and the need for more public say in Internet regulation at last month's Netroots Nation conference.

"The government has a role to play here. The government can pass rules to protect net neutrality. The government can stop mergers like NBC/Comcast or at least put strict, rigorous conditions on them. But first, the government has to be made to act. And I can tell you first-hand that the government, the White House, the FCC, my fellow members of Congress, is hearing plenty from the corporations on the other side of these issues and not nearly enough from you."

Thursday's news of a rumored deal reported in the New York Times and the Washington Post provoked a swift response among net neutrality advocates.

Andrew Schwartzman is the senior vice president from Media Access Project, a public interest law firm and advocacy group based in Washington DC.