A new bill on neutrality and broadband policy was introduced yesterday by Representatives John Conyers and Zoe Lofgren.

The Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, as it is called, is intended to "promote competition, to facilitate trade, and to ensure competitive and non-discriminatory access to the Internet," as quoted by Arstechnica.

The main focus is on providing an equal access for all users and the decision to act on it was taken after numerous allegations surfaced about many major internet service providers who were slowing the internet connections for some of their consumers without any legitimate explanations.

After a careful investigation, several reports were made on cable operators who unreasonably blocked or hindered some file-sharing services. Programs such as BitTorrent, used to distribute TV shows and movies, were unavailable with no justification.

"If we allow companies with monopoly or duopoly power to control how the Internet operates, network providers could have the power to choose what content is available," Conyers said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Ben Scott of Free Press appeared very pleased with the bill: "We applaud Chairman Conyers and Representative Lofgren for their leadership and commitment to the public interest on this critical issue," he said in a statement, according to Arstechnica. He also added: "Congress must step in to defend the open Internet."

The issue on network neutrality targets some service providers who claim to require a certain amount of time in order to manage their network’s ever-growing traffic. The charges refer to the broadband companies involved in an anti-competitive conduct and also the ones involved in political censorship.

The Comcast Corp and Verizon Wireless incidents spotlighted the net neutrality issue.