Internet service providers and their lobby groups are fighting a US plan to prohibit discrimination in access to broadband services. In particular, ISPs want the Federal Communications Commission to drop the plan’s proposal to require that prices charged to consumers be non-discriminatory.
In 2021, Congress required the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules “preventing digital discrimination of access based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin” within two years. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last month released her draft plan to comply with the congressional mandate and scheduled a November 15 commission vote on adopting final rules.
“But but, we want to continue misleading customers with our ‘up to’ plans and offer them the bare minimums. and make them spend more money because we charge equipment rental fees on top of their bills. please think of our wallets. The government hasn’t given us enough despite them happily giving us billions to expand broadband that we promise to get around to, but we spend millions on marketing on this promise we somehow won’t fulfill. Think of us, please” - ISPs