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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x22 or (703) 517-6273

Sprint's New Wireless Service May Throttle Internet Traffic

WASHINGTON

Sprint Nextel's new XOHM wireless service includes a clause that
allows the company to limit consumers' access to content and
applications on the WiMAX network. According to XOHM's "network
management" policy, Sprint "may use various tools and techniques
designed to limit the bandwidth available for certain bandwidth
intensive applications or protocols, such as file sharing."

Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement.

"We are very troubled by this development and the larger moves
across the wireless industry to limit consumer access to the legal
content and services of their choice. We hope that Sprint will quickly
disclose exactly what tools and techniques it plans to use, and
demonstrate why it is necessary to maintain a closed network when
consumers demand an open Internet."

XOHM's network management policy: https://www.xohm.com/en_US/xohm-policies/acceptable-use.html#aup_2b

Free Press was created to give people a voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. We believe that positive social change, racial justice and meaningful engagement in public life require equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and journalism that holds leaders accountable and tells people what's actually happening in their communities.

(202) 265-1490