ISPs angry about California law that lets renters opt out of forced payments
a day ago
- #legislation
- #broadband
- #California
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to increase broadband competition in apartment buildings, rejecting opposition from cable and real estate industries.
- The new law, effective January 1, allows tenants to opt out of paying for third-party Internet services provided through bulk-billing arrangements.
- The bill passed with strong bipartisan support: 75–0 in the Assembly and 30–7 in the Senate.
- Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, the bill's author, stated it aims to ensure fairness without banning bulk billing or limiting profits, just allowing tenants to opt out.
- Opposition from cable and real estate lobby groups argued the law would undermine cost savings and phase out bulk billing.
- Ransom highlighted the bill's support from smaller ISPs, framing it as a step toward boosting competition in broadband services.