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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Four industry groups representing major internet providers and cable companies filed suit on Wednesday seeking to block California’s new law to mandate net neutrality rules.
The groups represent companies including AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications Inc, Comcast Corp and Charter Communications Inc. The lawsuit came after the U.S. Justice Department on Sunday filed its own lawsuit to block the new law.
The lawsuit filed by the American Cable Association, CTIA – The Wireless Association, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association and USTelecom – The Broadband Association, called California’s law a “classic example of unconstitutional state regulation” and urged the court to block it before it is set to take effect Jan. 1.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said on Sunday in a statement that the “the California legislature has enacted an extreme and illegal state law attempting to frustrate federal policy.”
This marked the latest clash between the Trump administration and California, which have sparred over environmental, immigration and other hot-button issues.
In December, the Federal Communications Commission said in repealing the Obama-era rules that it was preempting states from setting their own rules governing internet access.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday the Trump Administration was ignoring “millions of Americans who voiced strong support for net neutrality rules.”
The Trump administration rules were a win for internet providers but opposed by companies like Facebook Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc.
Under President Donald Trump, the FCC voted 3-2 in December along party lines to reverse rules that barred internet service providers from blocking or throttling traffic or offering paid fast lanes, also known as paid prioritization.
In August, 22 states and a coalition of trade groups representing major tech companies urged a federal appeals court to reinstate the rules. The states argue that the FCC cannot preempt state rule because it is not setting any limits on conduct by internet providers.
A federal judge on Monday set a Nov. 14 hearing in Sacramento on the Justice Department lawsuit.
This is extremely bullsh*t! Cable lobbies, telecoms, and mobile carriers are just looking for lame excuse to do anything they like to charge excess fees to exploit their customers for money. It’s money all these bastards care about as a way to unionize their workers by spreading fraudulent information to rip off their customers. I also reject their views on Net Neutrality by saying it hurts broadband investment and growth. Wrong! That money they ripped off customers is going to CEO’s and their employees’ pocket instead. Net Neutrality is the law of the land and is here to stay. Repealing… Read more »