WELCOME

Wielers noted that the state's top telecom regulator has expressed

Sept. 16, 2017 by Lena Webb

Wielers noted that the state's top telecom regulator has expressed disappointment with the bill.

"The lack of a strong fight for net neutrality in California is truly troubling. We need strong voices," he said. "But we are also concerned about how it will move forward and how it will affect our residents and businesses nationwide. The law is not just a political issue, it's a law of the land, and we have a lot of support in the California legislature."

Wiener stated that a vote on the bill might come as early as this week, "but the momentum for a bill that can move through the House next week has not yet started."

In the meantime, it seems as though the state government was not pleased with the way the bill was dealt with.

"We continue to consider the bill," Wiener said. "As long as legislators and commissioners are fully committed to protecting consumers, we look forward to a swift bipartisan agreement on both sides. Unfortunately, this is not a day the FCC needs to go back to work; rather, it's a day the FCC needs to pass our rules, enforce them and ensure that consumers get the best speeds."

"The FCC and the state have an interest in ensuring that consumers don't have to pay the FCC for their internet service or end up with a fixed speed in the future," Senator Mike Brown (D-San Francisco) added. "This is a time for the FCC to step into the future and provide the strongest possible rules and regulations."

"This is a moment that will have ramifications beyond the Internet itself. As a state, we're committed to protecting the Internet for all of its users," Wiener continued. "But today stands the best chance for the FCC to achieve its mission through this bipartisan agreement. No matter who wins this battle, the Commission will continue to work with the states and cities to ensure that this bill is passed and sustained."

In the meantime, the state has been able to hold out on the bill, with Wiener indicating that he will be able to vote for it in its current version in the House.

A similar resolution to the House was passed by the state Senate last week, but the bill faces its own challenges, as well. As Wiener explained: "The final version of the bill now meets the needs of the state's wireless regulators and needs to be voted on in committee. The state's wireless regulator, the California Consumer Protection and Competition Commission, will take up the issue. "The bill would take the state