Verizon challenges net neutrality rules

Verizon Communications has filed a legal challenge to new federal regulations that prohibit broadband providers from interfering with Internet traffic flowing over their networks, states Salon.

In a filing in federal appeals court in the District of Columbia, Verizon argues that the Federal Communications Commission overstepped its authority in adopting the new "network neutrality" rules last month.

The rules prohibit phone and cable companies from favouring or discriminating against Internet content and services - including online calling services such as Skype and Internet video services such as Netflix, which in many cases compete with services sold by companies like Verizon.

Huawei Technologies, China's largest telecommunications equipment maker, won a court order barring Motorola Solutions from disclosing confidential information about Huawei's technology to Nokia Siemens Networks, which plans to buy Motorola's wireless networks business, notes Bloomberg Business Week.

US district judge Sharon Johnson Coleman issued a temporary restraining order against disclosures by Motorola, according to a court filing. The judge ordered the company to notify the court within 24 hours of any decision by China's anti-trust authorities to approve the pending $1.2 billion acquisition.

Huawei, based in Shenzhen, China, sued Motorola and Nokia Siemens, saying Motorola had not provided assurances that it would prevent disclosures about Huawei technology and products to its rival Nokia Siemens.

Noshir Gowadia, 66, made profits of at least $110 000 by selling classified engine technology that China needed for its design of a stealth cruise missile that could evade infra-red detection, the court heard, according to The Telegraph.

"He broke his oath of loyalty to this country," said Judge Susan Oki Mollway passing sentence after a hearing in Honolulu, Hawaii, "He was found guilty of marketing valuable technology to foreign countries for personal gain."

Gowadia, an engineer with the Northrop Grumman Corporation between 1968-88 who worked on the B-2 design, made repeated trips to China between 2003 and 2005 providing "defence services" to China's cruise missile programme as a freelance consultant.