Net Neutrality Law is a Victory for California Small Businesses

For Immediate Release: 
Monday, October 1, 2018

Statement from Mark Herbert, California Director for Small Business Majority, on why small businesses will benefit from the strongest net neutrality protection in the United States

Gov. Brown stood up for small businesses when he signed SB 822, which establishes the strongest net neutrality rules in the nation. Without protections to keep the internet fair and open, California’s small businesses would have been at a disadvantage when trying to compete with large corporations that have the resources to ensure their websites receive special prioritization from internet service providers.

This law is necessary due to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) December 2017 decision to end national net neutrality protections. Until that disastrous FCC move is overturned, states must act to protect small firms that cannot afford for their websites to receive priority from internet service providers.

The majority of small businesses are concerned about the end of net neutrality. In fact, Small Business Majority’s scientific opinion polling found 56 percent of small business owners oppose the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality, with nearly 4 in 10 strongly opposing the repeal. The poll also found nearly half of all small businesses say net neutrality is important to the operation of their business.

Maintaining a fair and open internet through net neutrality helps ensure equal access to broadband for both entrepreneurs and consumers alike. We’re glad California supports net neutrality, and we hope more states follow this lead so small businesses can compete in a crowded marketplace.

 

About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to ensure America’s entrepreneurs are a key part of a thriving and inclusive economy. We actively engage our network of more than 58,000 small business owners in support of public policy solutions and deliver information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Press State: 
CA