Mass. Lawmakers Resist Comcast Data Caps

Responding to Comcast data caps, a Massachusetts bill would ban ISPs from capping data, disconnecting customers, raising prices or creating new fees during the pandemic. HD-663 also would bar existing such limits. It's meant “to push back [Comcast] and any other service providers who try to raise prices or fees during a pandemic,” co-sponsor Rep. Dave Rogers (D) tweeted Thursday. It wouldn’t apply to mobile. The ban would expire 60 days after the governor declares an end to the COVID-19 emergency. “Our data plan is structured in a way that the very small percentage of our customers who use more than 1.2 terabytes of monthly data and generate the greatest demand for network development and capacity pay more," emailed a Comcast spokesperson: "Superusers" can buy an unlimited plan. The cable company said it won't assess overage charges to affected Northeast customers until August. Public Knowledge tweeted approvingly, "Policymakers across the U.S. should take note!"