Tech giants combine to grapple big net issues

Advisory group will discuss internet governance practices and guide politicians

Net neutrality wil be on TAG's agenda

Technology heavyweights, including Google, Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and AT &T, have formed an advisory group that will get to grips with net neutrality and other internet governance issues.

The aims of the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG or TAG) are “to develop consensus on broadband network management practices”, educating policy makers, head off policy disputes by addressing technical issues and act as a sounding board for new ideas and network management practices.

TAG will be chaired by Dale Hatfield, former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chief technologist and now adjunct professor of the interdisciplinary telecommunications programme at the University of Colorado.

"The TAG will function as a neutral, expert technical forum and promote a greater consensus around technical practices within the internet community," said Hatfield.

"The TAG would consider a number of factors in looking at technical practices, including whether a practice is used by others in the industry; whether alternative technical approaches are available; the impact of a technical practice on other entities; and whether a technical practice is aimed at specific content, applications or companies."

On TAG's agenda for the next few weeks is defining its role as well as identifying best practices by broadband providers and other entities and interpreting safe harbour practices.