California will not apply the Net neutrality law in force

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The state of California on Friday decided not to enforce its own Net Neutrality Law until the court's final decision on the Trump government's decision to overturn the rules of the state. 39, the open internet of the Obama era in 2015.

This decision probably means that California's Internet Neutrality Act, which was to come into effect on January 1, will be suspended for a year or more. The US Department of Justice and professional groups representing suppliers, including AT & T Inc (T.N), Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) and Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O).

A federal court of appeal has set out the oral arguments of February 1 regarding the overthrow of the net neutrality by the government. California has agreed that it will not seek to enforce its law before this court's decision and any possible review by the US Supreme Court.

A federal judge on Friday approved an agreement between California, the Justice Department and trade groups to delay the implementation and court challenges of state law.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai, who spearheaded efforts to reverse the Obama-era Net neutrality rules, said in a statement that California's "substantial concession" reflects the strength of the dossier presented. by the United States at the beginning of the month.This also demonstrates (…) that there is no urgent problem to be solved by these regulations. "

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the decision "was aimed at putting us in the best possible position to preserve the neutrality of the internet for the 40 million people of our state". We oppose the Trump Administration's attempt to repeal network neutrality in the CC Circuit Court and vigorously defend California's Network Neutrality Act. "

In December, the FCC declared by repealing the rules of the Obama era that it prevented states from setting their own rules governing Internet access – a problem that the court of appeal federal should settle.

The FCC's ordinance reversed the rules preventing Internet service providers from preventing or blocking traffic or offering pay fast lanes, also known as paid prioritization. A group of 22 states and the District of Columbia have filed an action to annul the repeal.

The four professional associations that have started lawsuits to block the law said California's decision not to enforce the law "is a win for consumers that will allow continued innovation and investment as long as these deliberations are continuing ". net neutrality law.

Trump's rules of administration have been successful for Internet service providers, but companies such as Facebook Inc (FB.O), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) and Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O).

The FCC has given Internet service providers considerable powers to explain how Americans use the Internet, provided they disclose any changes. The new rules came into effect in June, but major providers have not changed Internet access.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement in September that "the California Legislature has enacted an extreme and illegal state law aimed at defeating federal policy."