For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2020
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us
Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to codify net neutrality protections in the District
Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Consumer Net Neutrality Protection Act of 2020 which would codify net neutrality protections in the District of Columbia and prohibit internet service providers from engaging in discriminatory practices such as blocking content and impairing consumer internet usage.
“A free and open Internet is critical to our society. Consumers rely on broadband connectivity to drive growth, personal and community development, but also to facilitate public debate and government accountability,” said Grosso. “Net neutrality is also crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who rely on the open internet to launch their enterprises, create markets, advertise their products and services, and reach consumers.”
In 2015, the Federal Communications Committee under Obama appointees established net neutrality protections for telecommunications services. Those protections were later repealed in 2017 under the Trump-appointed FCC Chairman.
With the repeal of these net neutrality protections, internet service providers are permitted to block or slow down Internet access, demand pay-to play from websites or applications, or otherwise interfere with end users’ access to the Internet.
Since then, federal courts have upheld the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality, but left it up to states to write their own regulations.
Under Grosso’s bill, internet service providers will be prohibited from discriminating against information and lawful internet traffic by blocking, slowing down, or engaging in paid prioritization.
“This will benefit all internet users in the District of Columbia by establishing our own net neutrality protections that prohibit discriminatory, anti-consumer, and anti-competitive conduct by broadband providers,” said Grosso.
Presently, nine states have enacted their own versions of net neutrality legislation while 34 states have introduced legislation attempting to reestablish net neutrality protections. If passed, the District of Columbia would join jurisdictions, such as California and New York, that have committed to ensuring an open and free Internet for all, that allows room for transparent and consumer-oriented conduct by internet service providers.
“Every DC resident has the right to equal access of all lawful content using any lawful device in the District. And we as elected leaders must stand up for that right,” said Grosso.
Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, and Mary Cheh joined Grosso as co-introducers of the bill.
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