"Without open access, there will be fewer choices, fewer ways of getting to the Internet. One company can determine everyone's digital destiny," Chester said. One outgrowth of the lack of competition among cable Internet providers could be a form of censorship, meeting organizers warned. Even if they don't completely block Web sites, they could slow access to them to the point that they become all but impossible to reach, they said. Meanwhile, the cable companies could speed access to their own sites and to those of preferred partners.

The Internet's status as an open forum for ideas will come under attack if cable companies aren't forced to open up their broadband networks to rivals, the organization says, SAN FRANCISCO--The Internet's status as an open forum for ideas will come under attack if cable companies aren't forced to open up their broadband networks to rivals, civil liberties and keep them alive. iphone case consumer advocacy groups said Monday, "We're at a pivotal moment here," American Civil Liberties Union Associate Director Barry Steinhardt said at a town hall meeting, "I think it's inevitable that as the choice (of Internet providers) decreases, it will limit the choices of content that people can access."..

CNET también está disponible en español. Don't show this again. Japanese start-up Yozan said it plans to sell cell phone airtime, paging and access to wireless local area networks (LANs) using 802.11b and other standards. The start-up believes it'll be the first wireless carrier to offer this hat trick of wireless services. Telephone equipment maker Ericsson is supplying Yozan with the wireless LAN equipment, Ericsson announced Tuesday. A Yozan representative did not reveal additional details of the company's plans, including when it plans to introduce the services.

CNET keep them alive. iphone case también está disponible en español, Don't show this again, The move is in response to Time Warner Cable's recent crackdown on such customers, The broadband provider sent letters threatening to cut service to customers who let others freely tap into their Wi-Fi Internet access, said Fred Von Lohmann, senior intellectual property attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit organization focusing on the civil liberties issues surrounding digital technology, "The Time Warner action has obviously made it clear that there are some ISPs who want to forbid it," Lohmann said, "We felt it was important to let people know of broadband providers who don't forbid it, Then let the market decide."..

The carriers have largely ignored the sharing phenomenon. The recent warnings represent the first time a cable provider has taken steps against customers who let others use their Wi-Fi access. AT&T Broadband has so far shut one account for violating the company's policies about sharing bandwidth, an AT&T Broadband spokeswoman said Tuesday. A spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable said to her knowledge, none of those receiving warning letters have had their service shut down. Two of the 11 "Wireless-Friendly ISPs" so far listed are national providers: EarthLink and Covad Communications.