Central Coast internet provider speaks against net neutrality repeal
A major reversal to the way internet service is provided and now the FCC has a date for when it will happen.
The end of net neutrality is officially set to come this Spring. The FCC voted to repeal the protection in December.
The repeal means the FCC will get rid of a rule that kept internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to the internet.
In other words providers like Comcast can charge a website more for faster speeds. It’s something many including one Santa Cruz internet service provider, aren’t happy about.
The FCC says net neutrality is scheduled to be repealed April 23rd but it hasn’t been without backlash.
Attorney generals from more than 20 states filed a lawsuit last month to stop repeal. Tech companies like Mozilla also filed lawsuits.
And here on the Central Coast, internet service provider Cruzio has also been against the repeal.
“Essentially you’ll be paying twice because the consumer’s already paying for the data that’s coming to your house, whether that’s movies or news or any kind of content,” said Peggy Dolgenos, CEO at Cruzio Internet, “Also the provider of that content will be paying so the bigger companies will be able to double charge.”
Senate Democrats are also close to having enough votes to pass a measure that would restore net neutrality.
But it might be hard getting the support of the House and President Trump.
“Net neutrality is inherently uncompetitive, it means that if you’re a huge company you can demand a lot of money from companies like Netflix or some of the bigger content providers and smaller companies can’t compete with that,” Dolgenos said.
If the Senate doesn’t get enough votes to pass the measure restoring net neutrality, Cruzio says it’ll continue to keep its service open.
“We are a net neutral company, we protect people’s privacy and we intend to do that forever, that’s the way that the internet was founded long ago,” Dolgenos said.
Some state legislators have attempted to pass bills restoring net neutrality within their borders.
As part of the final order, the FCC will have the authority to stop states from pursuing laws inconsistent with the repeal.
