After FCC vote, can Texas cities now offer their own Internet access? [telecom]

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By Dwight Silverman, Houston Chronicle, February 26, 2015

Yes, today's Federal Communications Ruling that both broadband and mobile Internet access providers are utilities is a big deal. This lets the commission enforce so-called net neutrality rules that prevent providers from favoring one type of Internet traffic over another.

But another vote taken today is just as a important. The FCC also decided, 3-2, to overturn bans against municipal broadband in two states so that cities there can offer their own Internet access.

This is significant because 18 other states have similar bans, including Texas. While today's ruling focused on just two instances, it indicates the FCC is opposed to such bans, and could rule against other, similar state laws.

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Neal McLain