Broadband industry groups suing California for Net Netity Bill

Four pressure groups representing some of the country's largest telecommunications companies filed a lawsuit against California's Internet Neutrality Act on Wednesday to prevent it from coming into effect next year.

USTelecom, CTIA, NCTA and ACA – groups representing telecommunications companies such as AT & T; Verizon wireless; Charter communications; and Comcast, and mobile phone companies like T-Mobile. This is the second lawsuit filed following the adoption on Sunday of California's law on internet neutrality. The Justice Department fired the first few hours after the signing of the bill by Governor Jerry Brown.

The two lawsuits similarly argue that California law is illegal because of an earlier decision by the Federal Communications Commission last year. This December decision overturned the national net neutrality protections, but also included a clause that preempts any net neutrality legislation to be tabled by the states.

"We oppose California's move to regulate Internet access because it threatens to hurt services to millions of consumers and hinder new investment and economic growth," industry groups said. in a statement. "Republican and Democratic administrations have repeatedly adopted the idea that such actions are pre-empted by federal law."

FCC President Ajit Pai issued a statement in conjunction with Sunday's announcement by the Justice Department of the favorable response to the trial. "The Internet is by nature an information service between states. As such, only the federal government can set a policy in this area, "said Pai. "Not only is California's law regulating the Internet illegal, but it is also hurting consumers"

The California law will only come into force on January 1, which will give these groups and the Department of Justice some time to make their case before the ISPs are forced to comply with the new protections for network neutrality. The law, championed by Senator Scott Wiener, provides some of the country's strictest net neutrality protections. It prohibits Internet service providers from blocking websites or limiting consumer data and even going so far as to prohibit zero-rated programs.

Net neutrality advocacy groups, some of which have contributed to the passage of California law, are obviously not happy. Fight for the Future issued a statement Wednesday condemning both lawsuits. "It's not surprising that they are suing, but it makes it all the more blatant and clear that Jeff Sessions and Ajit Pai are working directly on behalf of Big Cable to try to block basic legislation on the Internet. consumer protection, adopted with overwhelming bipartisan support. "

"The big telecommunications companies hate California's network neutrality bill because it prevents them from touching their customers more than they already do," said Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future. .