Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group

A number of Internet providers and tech companies, including Google and Verizon, have joined forces to create their own neutrality organization, the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG or TAG). The group aims to collaborate on broadband Internet "management practices" or other issues that relate to content, devices and applications that utilize the Internet.

Participants agreed that TAG's mission should also extend to educating government regulators. The companies will also attempt to minimize policy disputes and focus on new ideas and management practices.

Although the organization has quickly sparked doubts regarding its true aims, a Google blog post by Richard Whitt suggests BITAG is still a "work in progress." Whitt plays down the idea that BITAG will work only to serve the ISPs' goals without consideration for the consumer.

"Further, the purpose of the BITAG is not to replace the oversight and enforcement authority of the FCC or any other government body," Whitt says. "Rather, we hope the BITAG can bring together some of the smartest technical minds in this space to provide some useful guidance to policymakers and Internet stakeholders alike."

BITAG also represents AT&T, Cisco, Comcast, DISH Network, EchoStar, Intel, Level 3 Communications, Microsoft and Time Warner. [via DSLReports]

By Electronista Staff