Gov. David Ige has signed an executive order that requires state departments to contract for internet-related services with only those providers who agree to net neutrality principles.
The Federal Communications Commission voted Dec. 13 to scrap net neutrality rules that were adopted during President Barack Obama’s administration. Those rules barred companies from prioritizing content on the internet to allow the preferred content to be distributed at higher speeds than other, nonpreferred content.
Supporters of the net neutrality rules contend they are needed to prohibit internet service providers from “discriminating” against certain content or certain users, or establishing fee structures that favor some users and content over others.
“An open internet is critically important to our people and our economy, connecting us to the rest of the world, increasing our commerce, fostering innovation, and adding to our economic growth,” Ige said in prepared remarks Monday. “I have worked with my Cabinet members, members of the House and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of this critical resource.”
Ige’s order, which took effect Monday, is similar to some state net neutrality requirements that are already in place or are being put into place.
Shortly after the FCC’s decision in December, Ige announced that “we had the foresight to require neutrality in agreements with internet service providers (ISPs).”
Catherine Awakuni Colón, director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, confirmed the state has already imposed a three-year net neutrality requirement on Charter Communications Inc. as a condition of its takeover of Oceanic Time Warner. Charter is operating here as Spectrum.
She said DCCA is imposing a similar three-year requirement on Hawaiian Telcom as a condition of its planned merger with Cincinnati Bell, but that deal has not yet closed.
Ige’s new executive order “really is the full force and effect of the government as a customer,” Awakuni Colón said.
State Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kailua-Kaneohe) drafted a letter last month asking Ige to issue the executive order, and that letter was also signed by 20 other lawmakers. Thielen said Hawaii is now the fourth state to issue such an order, including New York, Montana and New Jersey.
Former state Attorney General Douglas Chin also announced last month he was joining 22 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the FCC challenging its decision to discard the rules requiring net neutrality.
