CUB Helps Notch Win for Oregon Internet Customers
Posted on March 2, 2018 by Samuel Pastrick
Tags, Telecommunications
Yesterday (March 1), the Oregon Senate passed House Bill 4155. Similar to the House vote earlier in the week, the bill received significant bipartisan support, including votes from all Democratic and four Republican Senators.
House Bill 4155, which was CUB’s priority bill during the short legislative session, now heads to the Governor’s desk for her signature. What makes the bill unique is that it strategically employs state and local government procurement powers to ensure essential protections for Internet customers. This is important because when the Federal Communications Commission rollback of “net neutrality” rules takes effect next month, Oregon Internet customers can know that rules governing their provider will apply to new contracts signed in Oregon after January 1, 2019.
CUB supported HB 4155 because, as Oregon’s leading advocate for residential utility customers, we firmly believe that in today’s world the Internet is an essential utility service just like electricity or water. To put it another way: Oregonians need fair, unencumbered, and affordable Internet service to participate in society in any meaningful way.
Education (at every level); business large or small; civic and social engagement; new or sustained employment; medical and emergency assistance. What do these all have in common? They rely heavily on high speed Internet access.
The trouble is that without clear and consistent rules enforcing basic consumer protections, Internet service providers can filter or even wall off content, slow speeds, or digitally “redline” customers by payment category. Such activities erode the principles needed to ensure a free, open, equitable, and frankly, stable 21st Century society.
HB 4155’s underlying policy envisions the digital future needed for the 21st Century – one where Oregon Internet customers, content creators, and service providers operate on an even playing field, and one in which each party clearly understands and enjoys unbiased and equal treatment under the law.
CUB was fortunate to partner with several advocacy groups on this effort, particularly the ACLU of Oregon. Building a coalition of the willing was so achievable because this bill represents effective public policy by protecting Internet consumers’ civil liberties. Yet its core provisions are carefully and strategically designed to not only ensure strong benefit for customers, but also withstand inappropriate federal intervention.
CUB also sought the input of our members, who are residential customers from all parts of the state. And as of yesterday afternoon, before the Senate vote, nearly 300 had “signed on” to our testimony to urge the legislature’s support for a net neutral Oregon. Thanks to all who joined this fight. Oregonians should take comfort in knowing our state is a now a national leader for Internet consumer protections!
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09/05/22 | 0 Comments | CUB Helps Notch Win for Oregon Internet Customers