Montana adds its own net neutrality rules in defiance of FCC

The net neutrality backlash just stepped up a notch.

Just weeks after the Federal Communications Commission controversially peeled back open internet rules, amid widespread protests and condemnation, Montana has taken the first steps in enforcing its own regulations.

The state's governor, Steve Bullock, signed an executive order Monday requiring any service providers with state contracts to follow net neutrality principles.

"Montana's future depends on a free and open internet," Bullock tweeted, adding that he hoped the state's initiative would inspire other states to follow suit. In a subsequent tweet he offered to pass on a copy of the order to make things easy.

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“This is a simple step states can take to preserve and protect net neutrality. We can’t wait for folks in Washington DC to come to their senses and reinstate these rules,” he added in a statement.

Charter, CenturyLink, Verizon and AT&T are among the broadband providers with government contracts in the state, so the order would have far-reaching implications.

Earlier this month, attorneys general from 22 states sued over the repeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The lawmakers attacked the FCC's "arbitrary and capricious" changes to policy.

Bullock's pioneering order demands that companies don't block or narrow web content or create so-called "fast lanes." It goes into effect immediately, with a six month grace period for companies to check they're complying with the order.