Net Neutrality Battle Heats Up In Vermont

A battle over network neutrality is heating up in Vermont -- one of at least eight states that recently moved to restore the Obama-era rules. VT's net neutrality law, passed last May, prohibits broadband access providers that contract with state agencies from violating the former rules -- including ones prohibiting blocking or throttling and charging higher fees for prioritized delivery. In 2018, industry associations sued in federal court to block VT's law. VT officials fired back that broadband industry groups shouldn't be allowed to proceed in court, given that their members made well-publicized promises to refrain from violating net neutrality principles. The state argues that if the providers aren't violating net neutrality, they won't be harmed by the new law and therefore, have no grounds to sue. But the broadband groups counter that their definition of “net neutrality” may differ from VT's. “Comcast will be harmed by any application of the state's prohibition on blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization in a manner inconsistent with Comcast's stated commitments,” Mark Reilly, senior vice president at Comcast Cable, stated in a declaration filed in Jan with the US District Court in VT.  But VT officials add that Comcast bid on a state contract last July, and certified at the time that it was in compliance with the new law.