California Net Neutrality Law Can Stand Alongside New FCC Rules, For Now

California can continue enforcing its own net neutrality law even after the FCC implements new federal rules. States can "experiment" with regulations like this.

The FCC sees no reason to preempt California's net neutrality law at this time since it largely mirrors the federal rules, though some differences exist around zero-rating.

California goes further than the FCC by banning paid data cap exemptions entirely, whereas the FCC will judge zero-rating programs case-by-case.

The FCC found California's rules around interconnection payments are compatible with the pending federal rules.

The FCC said it may reconsider preempting California's law if the state interprets or enforces the rules inconsistently with federal policy.