A PYMNTS Company

US: NC sues FCC over broadband ruling

 |  May 18, 2015

The State of North Carolina is suing the FCC to prevent the city of Wilson, NC, from expanding its municipal broadband network.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Wilson and Chattanooga, TN, both have municipal networks. With the backing of cable companies, state legislatures in 19 states have passed laws prohibiting municipal broadband.

    North Carolina’s and Tennessee’s laws prohibited the expansion of the municipal broadband networks that had already been established within their jurisdictions – in Wilson and Chattanooga, respectively.

    In February, the FCC reversed both of those rules. About a month later, Tennessee sued the FCC to reverse the agency’s order.

    North Carolina has just filed its suit to do likewise. The suit simply describes the FCC’s order as unconstitutional, arbitrary and capricious, and states that the FCC lacks the authority to issue the order.

     

    Full content: Consumerist

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.