Isn’t this the same City that gave Comcast the monopoly?

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O-2     Nov 30, 2020
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that Comcast plans to impose a home internet data cap on customers across the United States, including in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Starting in March 2021, customers who exceed 1.2TB of data in any given month will be charged $10 per additional 50GB of data used, up to $100 per month in additional fees; and
WHEREAS: Comcast has long admitted that its data caps are not necessary to manage network congestion, and network congestion has not been a major problem this year despite increased use due to the pandemic; and
WHEREAS: It is unjust for working families to be hit with such frivolous fees in the middle of a pandemic and economic recession that has necessitated realities like remote K-12 learning and online eviction court; and
WHEREAS: These fees will disproportionately impact people of color and other vulnerable groups, including many who are already struggling with limited, uneven, or non-existent digital access; and
WHEREAS: It is essential that the FCC stand up for working people across this country by preventing ISPs like Comcast from abusing their monopoly power to nickel-and-dime consumers who rely on internet access as a daily utility; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging Comcast to reconsider the decision to impose a data cap and additional fees on consumers starting next year; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record asking Cambridge’s Congressional Delegation to do everything possible to stop these additional fees from being implemented, and to advocate with the FCC for improved broadband regulations, including net neutrality; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Comcast SVP Tracy Pitcher, Assistant Speaker Clark, Congresswoman Pressley, Senator Markey, and Senator Warren on behalf of the entire City Council.