Lawmakers quiz AOL, Time Warner on Net policy

But lawmakers on the Senate Commerce Committee_s telecommunications subcommittee focused most of their questions on general Internet policy issues, like privacy, taxation and telephone service subsidies. On Tuesday, the two executives faced more hostile questioning from the Senate Commerce Committee focusing on the companies_ pledge to share Time Warner_s high-speed Internet-over- cable service with competing Internet service providers. Some senators on the telecommunications subcommittee expressed similar skepticism, but much of the hearing was spent discussing general issues. Case said AOL, the No. 1 online service, still favors voluntary industry rules to safeguard the privacy of consumers, but added he would be willing to discuss possible legislative proposals if Congress determined that new laws were needed.