WASHINGTON — Google and Verizon are reportedly near an agreement on the management of Internet traffic. The two companies have set this exclusive deal outside of the parameters of closed-door discussions held by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski in recent weeks, aimed to generate a consensus on network neutrality among a larger group of technology companies and broadband carriers.

Andrew Jay Schwartzman, Senior Vice President and Policy Director of Media Access Project, issued the following statement in response to the Google-Verizon announcement:

“What is good for Google and Verizon is not necessarily good for innovation and competition on the Internet. What the two companies have in common is that both are incumbents with dominant positions in their markets. It’s no wonder they are prepared to strike a deal that protects their market position at the detriment of the next Verizon and the next Google.

“Even though the two incumbents have chosen to set an exclusive deal with each other, the FCC must stay the course to reaffirm its broadband oversight authority by enacting transparent and enforceable rules that benefit everyone, not just the largest companies.

“The Commission should complete what it has started by bringing broadband services back under its jurisdiction as soon as possible, instead of pursuing its fruitless efforts at a short-term backroom compromise on net neutrality. A regulatory agency like the FCC should not be making deals with the biggest companies any more than it should countenance private side deals that achieve the same outcome. These arrangments could sacrifice successful implementation of the National Broadband Plan as well as broader free speech, privacy, disability, public safety, and consumer protections.

“While the Commission delays, we undoubtedly will see other special deals between giant companies, advancing their interests but injuring the public interest.”

As of today, the Chairman’s office has not announced an end date for its repeated closed-door meetings, despite no signs of a likely consensus.