Four major telecom industry groups have lost their lawsuit to suspend California's net neutrality law. A federal judge ruled that California can go ahead and enforce the law passed in 2018, AP reports.
California passed its own net neutrality legislation after the Federal Communications Commission revoked its previous Open Internet order under the Trump administration. The telecom industry fought the legislation, saying it was not tenable to have different rules for the internet in each state. The federal government also launched its own case to suspend the California law, which was withdrawn only this month after the new Biden administration took office.
In a joint statement, USTelecom, CTIA, ACA Connects and NCTA said they will study the ruling before deciding whether to take further action. "A state-by-state approach to Internet regulation will confuse consumers and deter innovation, just as the importance of broadband for all has never been more apparent," they said. "We agree with the Court that a piecemeal approach is untenable and that Congress should codify rules for an open Internet."
