The Rise of State-Regulated Broadband: ISPs Fear Losing Control
When states regulate broadband, they can impose stricter requirements on Internet service providers than the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). New York's $15 broadband mandate has spurred legislative efforts in other states to guarantee affordable service for people with low incomes. The outcome of these state-level regulations will shape the future of broadband access and affordability.
- States' regulatory power over broadband may inadvertently create a patchwork of laws that ISPs and consumers can navigate, but it also highlights the need for more comprehensive federal oversight to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet.
- Will the proliferation of state-regulated broadband plans lead to a national uniformity in internet pricing, or will states continue to compete with each other in terms of affordable rates?