As reported on ZDNet, the Senate panel has proposed a net users 'bill of rights', a provision in the latest draft of the sweeping Consumer's Choice and Broadband Deployment Act which would allow the Federal Communications Commission to police subscribers' complaints of "interference" in their Internet activities and to levy fines on violators.Specifically, the bill would require all Internet service providers to adhere to nine basic principles of fair use that include: allowing consumers to access and post any lawful content they please; to access and run any Web page, search engine or application that they choose (including voice and video programs); and to connect any legal devices they please to the network..

This latest draft, scheduled for an intial committee vote on Thursday afternoon, still fails to address the most important complaint of net neutrality advocates, that network operators should give equal treatment to all content traveling across their pipes. Advocates would rather see the passage of a bill introduced by North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan, Maine Republican Olympia Snowe and seven other Democrats that would bar broadband providers from being able to block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair or degrade" access to content or to prevent users from attaching devices of their choosing to the network. Network operators would also be barred from making special deals with content providers to ensure speedier delivery or improved quality of service and would be required to offer all Internet material on an "equivalent" basis.

Some form of this particular proposal will likely be offered as an amendment to the Senate bill at the committee vote. But its prospects may not be good as a similar, Democratic-backed amendment was soundly defeated in the House, and Senate Republicans have indicated strong opposition to the idea.

Continue reading for information on how to contact members of the Senate Commerce Committee to vocalize your opinions.