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Wireless trade group urges committee to reject H.11, warns state-level net neutrality rules could hamper deployment
Summary
CTIA testified to the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee that H.11 would add duplicative reporting, vague compliance standards and state-specific net neutrality certification requirements that could slow broadband expansion and raise costs for Vermont consumers.
Anissa Reed, representing CTIA, told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 14 that the wireless industry “respectfully oppose[s] house bill 11.” She said H.11 would impose “unnecessary state specific net neutrality certification requirements, duplicative data reporting mandates, and vague restrictions on business practices.”
Reed said those requirements could slow broadband expansion, increase costs and ultimately harm Vermont consumers and businesses. She told the committee that wireless broadband is an interstate service and that state-specific regulation creates a “patchwork of conflicting rules” that raises regulatory uncertainty for carriers that operate across state lines.
The witness also highlighted existing industry disclosures and voluntary commitments. Reed said CTIA and its members publish a “consumer code for wireless service,” a 12‑point set of principles on pricing, transparent billing and fair terms that the association has promoted for nearly 20 years. “Notably, principle 5 establishes a commitment to clearly disclosing material charges,” she said, and added that the code’s principles are published on CTIA’s website.
Committee members pressed Reed on several details. Representative Veil asked whether the 12 commitments are enforceable; Reed described them as a public, guiding commitment from carriers and said she would “follow up” with more detail on enforcement. Representatives also asked Reed to break down CTIA’s statement that the wireless industry supports “more than 6,700 jobs” in Vermont and contributes “500,000,000” dollars to the state economy; Reed said she would provide a more detailed job‑category breakdown after the hearing.
Reed noted carriers already submit deployment data to the Federal Communications Commission and argued the bill’s state‑level reporting would create administrative burdens that could divert resources from network expansion. She also warned that vague terms in the bill—mentioned during her testimony as phrases such as “burdensome conditions” and “reasonable fees”—could lead to inconsistent enforcement and legal challenges.
Why it matters: The committee is weighing consumer protections aimed at clarity and affordability against industry concerns that additional state regulations could raise costs or reduce investment. CTIA urged lawmakers to pursue policies that promote deployment, competition and affordability rather than adopting the additional certification and reporting requirements in H.11.
The committee did not vote on H.11 during the testimony; members requested written follow‑up from CTIA on enforceability of the consumer code and on the Vermont job and economic figures Reed cited.
