Court rules for states in restrictions on city broadband nets

• In another victory for broadband Internet providers, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of two states seeking to set limits on municipal broadband networks.
• The FCC had sought to pre-empt state laws that put onerous restrictions on cities' rights to build and expand their own high-speed networks -- which can reduce demand from private-sector Internet service providers.
• The appeals court said the FCC couldn't block Tennessee and North Carolina from restricting cities that were seeking to expand their muni networks.
• Updated 2:45 p.m.: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in a statement: "The efforts of communities wanting better broadband should not be thwarted by the political power of those who, by protecting their monopoly, have failed to deliver acceptable service at an acceptable price. The FCC’s mandate is to make sure that Americans have access to the best possible broadband."
• U.S. ISPs/carriers: VZ, T, CMCSA, OTCPK:ATCEY, S, TMUS, WIN, CTL, FTR, CHTR, CCOI