Some internet customers may lose service as a result of 6th Circuit decision; FCC won't appeal
Cities seeking to expand their own broadband networks to provide internet service for more customers fear a federal appeals court decision will embolden states to pass new laws that curb municipal efforts and eliminate competition.
The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals ruled earlier this month that the Federal Communications Commission didn’t have the authority to stop states from limiting the expansion of internet service provided by cities. Now the FCC says it won’t appeal the decision, report Ars Technica and the New York Times.
FCC spokesman Mark Wigfield told the Times the agency determined an appeal “would not be the best use of commission resources.”
It’s not yet known whether the cities involved in the case will appeal, according to Ars Technica. The cities are Chattanooga, Tennessee and Wilson, North Carolina.
As a result of the 6th Circuit decision, the New York Times reports, “cities like Wilson fear they have little protection from laws like those in about 20 states that curb municipal broadband efforts and favor traditional cable and telecom firms. City officials say cable and telecom companies that have lobbied for state restrictions will be encouraged to fight for even more draconian laws, potentially squashing competition that could lead to lower prices and better speeds to access the web.”
The Times spoke with North Carolina residents who rely on Wilson’s broadband service. They include Tina and Mike Gomez of Pinetops, a small town next to Wilson that pleaded with Wilson to bring broadband service there.
After the expansion, Tina Gomez was able to get a work-at-home job with General Electric that required her to have reliable high-speed internet service. And Mike Gomez was able to take online course. The couple plans to move to Wilson if their internet service is eliminated.
