Megalith
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Myriad states are working to establish their own net neutrality rules, but the FCC is declaring the endeavor futile: Chairman Ajit Pai has published a statement suggesting such legislation will merely harm “investment and innovation” in communications services, following a federal appeals court ruling Minnesota “cannot regulate VoIP phone services because it is internet-based, and the internet is an ‘information service.’” Pai points out this essentially makes it illegal for states to impose their own rules.
The FCC chairman said the appeals court ruling means states like California can't undo the FCC's action. "The Eighth Circuit’s decision is important for reaffirming that well-established principle: ‘State regulation of an information service conflicts with the federal policy of nonregulation’ and is therefore preempted," Pai said. "That is wholly consistent with the approach the FCC has taken under Democratic and Republican Administrations over the last two decades, including in last year’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order.”
The FCC chairman said the appeals court ruling means states like California can't undo the FCC's action. "The Eighth Circuit’s decision is important for reaffirming that well-established principle: ‘State regulation of an information service conflicts with the federal policy of nonregulation’ and is therefore preempted," Pai said. "That is wholly consistent with the approach the FCC has taken under Democratic and Republican Administrations over the last two decades, including in last year’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order.”