Any Internet provider that charges subscribers based on data usage would be subject to PUC regulation under legislation being proposed by Senator Lisa Boscola. A Wednesday co-sponsorship memo from the senator notes how essential internet service is to society and that any “shift to a usage-based charge is more akin to a utility” and that “consumers should be afforded the protection of the service as a public utility to assure reliability, accessibility and affordability.” Stay tuned for bill introduction and committee referral.