Smith-Wade-El introduces bill protecting net neutrality in Pa.
Emerging Technologies Caucus March 12, 2025 | 2:05 PM
HARRISBURG, March 12 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, along with state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, today introduced a bill to protect net neutrality in Pennsylvania.
Net neutrality is the rule that all internet service providers (ISP) cannot block, slow down, or speed up content delivery based on the content, user or device. With only a handful of companies providing these services, the rule is necessary to ensure fair practices.
According to Smith-Wade-El, federal protections protecting net neutrality were removed on January 2, 2025, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision striking down the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) net neutrality rule that required all Internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all consumers equally. This decision is expected to change the way Internet and streaming services work, resulting in increased costs for consumers.
“The Internet is not a luxury but a daily necessity,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The tech oligarchy is trying to drive up our internet costs, making a “fair and fast” internet available only to the rich. My legislation would fight back against their monopoly, making it illegal for ISPs to block lawful Internet content, impede Internet traffic or otherwise engage in any activity that would negatively affect the Internet experience of Pennsylvania subscribers. A new chapter would be added to Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes on “Internet Neutrality,” and the definition of “public utility” expanded to include the provision of Internet services.”
“A fair internet is a public good, essential for all Pennsylvanians so that school kids can study, so small business owners can run their businesses, so the average Pennsylvanian can keep themselves informed about world events, and do their bills online and a million other things we take for granted as part of our daily lives,” Smith-Wade-El said. “For Pennsylvania to stay up to date in this fast-changing world, it is essential we have net neutrality in the commonwealth.”