Letter to the Editor - Congress needs to act on net neutrality

Editor,

I am someone who works a full-time job and is pursuing higher education via the internet. Without access to Montana State University Billings’ online program, or without adequate internet access, I would not have been able to continue my education. I strongly support the principles of network neutrality, which prohibit internet providers from blocking or unfairly restricting a consumer’s access to the internet.

The Oct. 1 story in the Helena Independent Record, “Court: FCC can dump net neutrality, but can’t bar state laws like Montana’s,” described how a recent court ruling will protect state network neutrality provisions from restriction by the FCC. When I read this article, I realized that a national solution for network neutrality is still needed.

Montana has some network neutrality protections thanks to an executive order by Gov. Steve Bullock, but complying with 50 different sets of state-based regulations is not a functional solution for companies that do business nationwide.

Congress needs to act now. I urge Montana’s congressional delegation to find a path to secure, permanent, nationwide network neutrality protections by passing a bipartisan bill into law.

Hannah Pate

Great Falls