The battle over net neutrality rules that were overturned in Washington last month moved into Sacramento this week.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill to require telecommunications companies doing business in the state to guarantee equal Internet access. The bill is a reaction to last month’s Federal Communications Commission decision to revoke nationwide net neutrality regulations.
“We will protect a free and open Internet in our state,” Wiener said in a tweet. “We won’t let the FCC undermine our democracy.”
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet companies not favor certain content over others — for example, speeding delivery of a video service they own while slowing down videos from rivals.
California joins similar efforts in New York and Washington state to write their own set of rules guaranteeing equal access to the Internet following the FCC’s 3-2 vote on Dec. 14 to overturn Obama-era net neutrality regulations. Supporters of the vote, including major Internet providers like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T, hailed that decision as one that will benefit consumers by removing a layer of unnecessary regulation enacted in 2015.
Opponents say the FCC’s reversal removes protections that prevent Internet companies from favoring some sites and apps over others.
“Net neutrality is essential to our 21st-century democracy,” Wiener said in a press release. “We won’t let the Trump-led FCC dismantle our right to a free and open Internet, and we won’t let them create a system where Internet providers can favor websites and services based on who pays more money.”
SB822 would try to use state Public Utilities Commission regulations governing telecommunications companies to force them to adhere to net neutrality rules.
According to a draft, that would include making net neutrality a requirement of cable franchise agreements, state consumer protection laws and the “state-granted right to attach small cell or other broadband wireless communications devices to utility poles.”
The bill would also require the state to buy Internet services from companies that practice net neutrality.
Wiener listed 10 co-authors, all Democrats, in the Senate and Assembly. But even if the bill finds enough votes in both houses, there are still potential roadblocks and other unknown factors in its path.
For instance, the FCC has yet to publish its final ruling on net neutrality, although that is expected any day. However, that final ruling is also expected to include a provision that pre-empts any state-enacted net neutrality rules.
©2018 the San Francisco Chronicle. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
