Vonage and Google ask for neutral Internet

The U.S. senate conducted hearings this week about whether broadband providers should be required to allow consumers access to all legal Web sites. The deliberation began because of fears that broadband providers would deny consumers access to competitors - competitors like Vonage and Google who provide services and information online. The CEO of Vonage made a good point, saying that if broadband providers are allowed to do this it would be like the electricity company saying which toaster you could plug in. However, cable and phone companies contest that there is no need for new laws, because there currently is not a problem. To find out more about this issue, see Google, Telecoms clash over "Net Neutrality."