After federal win, internet providers fight net neutrality effort in Rhode Island

Internet service providers are promising to maintain a free and open internet. They just but don’t want Rhode Island lawmakers to try to make them to do it.

Telecommunications and cable companies this week mobilized to stop two bills in the General Assembly that would use state government purchasing power to try to keep soon-to-expire federal “net neutrality” rules in place.

After successfully lobbying last year to end net neutrality rules at the Federal Communications Commission, the industry is arguing at state houses around the country against proposals such as the ones in Rhode Island.

“Regardless of any legal mandates, broadband Internet service providers will not block or throttle lawful Internet traffic or engage in unfair discrimination against lawful content, applications, or devices,” wrote Matthew Brill, a lawyer representing the New England Cable and Telecommunications Association, in testimony to the House Corporations Committee.

Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180321/after-federal-win-internet-providers-fight-net-neutrality-effort-in-ri