One House Republican sees no real danger in...

One House Republican sees no real danger in AT&T’s latest sponsored data program. “I understand the concerns that folks raise regarding agreements between content providers and wireless broadband carriers,” Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., told us in a statement. “But this is the kind of deal that I think has the potential to bring new and innovative options for consumers, and to which net neutrality poses a threat. Wireless and landline data usage has skyrocketed in recent years, and I think we should be encouraging creative business deals to help meet this demand, not preventing them.” Terry is a member of the House Commerce Committee, where he chairs the trade subcommittee. He had opposed the FCC’s move to vote on net neutrality rules in 2010. Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., had worried AT&T’s program created net neutrality concerns (CD Jan 9 p8). FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler discussed the new program, on the road. (See separate reports above in this issue.)