Montana bars tampering with internet traffic
Pushes net-neutral agenda
BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana yesterday became the first state to bar telecommunications companies from receiving state contracts if they interfere with internet traffic or favor higher-paying sites or apps, under an order from Gov. Steve Bullock intended to protect so-called net neutrality.
The Democratic governor’s order comes after the Federal Communications Commission last month repealed rules enacted in 2015 to more tightly regulate companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon.
Commission members said the repeal was needed to ensure the government maintains a “light touch” in its oversight of the internet. But critics such as Bullock contend that the change would hurt consumers and make it harder for startups to enter the market.
“There has been a lot of talk around the country about how to respond to the recent decision,” Bullock said in announcing his order before a group of computer science students in Helena. “It’s time to actually do something about it.”
Attorneys from more than 20 states and the District of Columbia have sued to block the repeal. State legislatures in New York, California and elsewhere have introduced bills promoting net neutrality, but Bullock is the first governor to taken action, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.
Bullock’s order applies to any company seeking a state contract for telecommunications services after July 1.
Bullock told the state Department of Administration to craft policies and guidance by March 1 to put the order into effect, and he invited governors and lawmakers across the United States to duplicate his action.
A spokeswoman for USTelecom, which represents the broadband industry, said Congress, and not individual states, should step forward to craft permanent rules.
“We simply cannot have 50 different regulations governing our internet,” said Sally Aman, USTelecom’s senior vice president for public affairs.
It was not immediately clear if Bullock’s order could face a legal challenge. The FCC repeal — expected to go into effect this spring — pre-empted states and cities from imposing rules that contradict its own plan. Aman declined to say if the broadband association would file a lawsuit over Bullock’s order.