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Washington state first with a law protecting net neutrality against the FCC repeal

Updated: Mar 06, 2018, 6:30 AM

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Washington state first with a law protecting net neutrality against the FCC repeal

Back in December, the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal the net neutrality laws enacted by the previous administrations, and to give carriers or other internet service the freedom to prioritize traffic from this or that source, including their own services. The repeal was further greased by a court decision last week that allowed the Federal Trade Commission to regulate carriers just like regular ISPs.

All of this didn't go well with proponents of net neutrality who argue that the repeal with open the floodgates for throttling competing services, prioritize pay-for-play streamers, and other general shenanigans that will make the Internet a less equal place to be in for smaller guys. A good example would be carriers "zero rating" the data streamed to your mobile device by a service they pick, towards your monthly quota.

We know that when D.C. fails to act, Washington state has to do so

After last week's court decision, it seemed that there isn't much to be done about net neutrality, until Monday's move by the Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee. The Governor just signed bipartisan legislation that introduces a blanket ban on ISPs to block content or prioritize traffic, and enshrined it into local state law.

This makes Washington State the first one to defy the FCC's net neutrality repeal crusade, in open contradiction with the White House administration's efforts. "We know that when D.C. fails to act, Washington state has to do so," according to Gov. Inslee, who steps in on a long and proud tradition of states defying D.C. on various undertakings they don't agree with. The FCC has a clause in its decision that forbids state legislation to contradict it, so a protracted legal fight may be inevitable.

source: Wired

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.