Cerf

Google VP and "Father of the Internet" Vint Cerf yesterday said Google might file antitrust complaints if high-speed internet service providers abuse the power they are likely to receive from Congress, reports Reuters. The Senate's Commerce Committee last week approved legislation that would make it easier for telecoms and cable firms to offer programming to consumers. But it rejected the enshrining of net neutrality, leaving open the possibility that the providers may choose to charge more for carrying the internet content of others (such as Google).

"My company, along with many others believes that the internet should stay open and accessible to everyone equally," Cerf is quoted as saying. "We are worried that some of the broadband service providers will interfere with that principle and will attempt to use their control over broadband transport facilities to interfere with services of competitors."

He added that Google would "wait and see whether or not there actually is any abuse" and would then "make known our case to the Department of Justice's antitrust division."