Connecticut Senate Panel Hears Net Neutrality Bill

A Connecticut hearing on net neutrality legislation attracted copious written testimony last week from telcos, consumer advocates and others. The Senate Energy and Technology Committee held a hearing Thursday on SB-2, which would require the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to enforce net neutrality principles with civil penalties. The FCC rule “will allow telecommunication companies to potentially block content, extort fees from users and shrink economic opportunities for Connecticut businesses and residents,” said Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo, supporting SB-2. Net neutrality rules “are essential for political discourse, dissemination of news, and democratic participation,” said the League of Women Voters of Connecticut. Congress should codify rules, but that’s unlikely, so the league supports state legislation, it said. Other supporters included Common Cause, the American Civil Liberties Union, New America’s Open Technology Institute, the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel and Gigi Sohn, former aide to ex-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. AT&T said “the legislation is unnecessary, addresses issues more appropriate for action by the U.S. Congress, is preempted by federal law, and would hurt Connecticut’s business climate.” The FCC’s December order “will NOT fundamentally change what websites users can access or alter how users experience the Internet,” Frontier Communications said. Other industry opponents included CTIA, CompTIA, CenturyLink and the New England Cable and Telecommunications Association. Many states have net neutrality bills (see 1803070045).