Supporters of the proposal, who are led by Mr. Powell and include the major broadcast networks and some large news conglomerates, say that technology and the proliferation of competition have rendered the current rules unnecessary.
"Outdated and restrictive" is what the FCC's new chairman, Tom Wheeler, has called the current rules, as technology has advanced to the point where in-flight calls won't overload cell towers on the ground?
The two long-distance providers have used the current rule to make inroads into the Bells' local dominance.
Mr. Dell and Silver Lake have argued that the current rules are unfair and unfairly give disproportionate power to entrenched opponents like Mr. Icahn.
Competition advocates at the European Commission have sharply criticized the current rules, which expire in October.
The broadcasters have responded that the current rules are too onerous, and in any event, should not be applied to digital television.
The Law Society had warned that the current rules could be in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been ratified by the UK.
"My buddy and I have been talking talking about the penalty incident, and while we have no doubt that under the current rules Abidal had to go, we think it's too much of a punishment to lose the player and a goal.
It will also clarify eligibility for another 8.9 million workers who may or may not have overtime protections under the current rules, officials said.
As for the idea that the ban is illegitimate because it should have gone into effect (or the current rules banning it should have been enforced) many years ago, I actually see this as a more reasonable argument to make.
