The federal judge ruled that California can authorize its neutrality law, paving way for the implementation of rules banning internet service providers from blocking, speeding up, or slowing down select websites or services. The decision heralds the latest victory for the state after the Department of Justice dropped its legal charges against the legislation, which has been in limbo since 2018.
Several telecoms trade groups had filed their own lawsuit to restrict the net neutrality law. The district court judge john Mendez in the last hearing on Tuesday expressed concern over the lack of industry regulation in the wake of FCC’s repeal of net neutrality rules that applied nationwide, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “The Judge rejected a push for an injunction from the trade groups and ruled that the law would be allowed to take effect”.
The four trade groups behind the lawsuit the American Cable Association, CTIA, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, and US Telecom said they would review the court’s opinion before deciding how to progress.
A state by state approach to internet confuse consumers and deter innovation, just as the significant of broadband for all has never been more evident, they said in a joint statement “We agree with the Court that a piecemeal approach is untenable and that Congress should codify rules for an open Internet.”
Scott wiener the California state senator, who presented the bill, interpret the decision as “a major win for net neutrality.”