Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006

Excellent overview of the net neutrality issue

The COPE Act, as currently drafted, fails to protect an open and neutral Internet or to encourage equitable broadband deployment. It establishes only minimal language on network neutrality. It also fails to ensure that broadband providers will extend service to areas they view as less-profitable. The bill lacks what are known as build-out requirements that stop companies from cherry-picking areas to serve. On a positive note, it does allow for municipalities to offer broadband services to their residents.