The now-repealed federal net neutrality rules had similar provisions for interconnection without disrupting those interconnection agreements. The California rules could help content providers get better deals on interconnection from ISPs, but it would be surprising if the rules forced ISPs to stop charging for interconnection entirely.
Bill bans blocking, throttling, and more
The bill would prohibit Internet service providers from blocking or throttling lawful Internet traffic and from requiring fees from websites or online services to deliver or prioritize their traffic to consumers. The bill would also ban paid data cap exemptions (aka “zero-rating”), but it would allow other forms of zero-rating.
The Frontier form letter claims that the company “supports an open Internet where providers do not block, throttle, or interfere with customers’ ability to access and navigate the Internet” but says nothing about paid prioritization or zero-rating.
The bill was passed last month by the California Assembly and Senate, despite repeated objections from AT&T and cable lobbyists. Prior to the final Senate vote, robocalls to senior citizens claimed (with no evidence) that the rules will raise cell phone bills by $30 per month and slow down their data.
If Brown signs the bill, California is likely to face a lawsuit from broadband providers, who would claim that the FCC’s net neutrality repeal preempts states from imposing their own rules.