RCRC opposes Assembly Bill 2797 (McKinnor), which begins a process for a Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) telephone service provider to abandon basic telephone service in specified conditions. AB 2797 relieves any provider (see a map of service territories here) when it sends a notice—not subject to verification—to the CPUC stating it currently either 1) has no customers or population in a census block, or 2) the census block (see here) is served by at least two other alternative voice services, such as internet-based wireline service, or wireless service.
COLR status ensures the availability of basic “plain old telephone service” (POTS) to any residential or business customer in its service territory to ensure universal access to safe, reliable, and affordable telephone service. POTS also has a uniform set of minimum service standards and regulations that does not extend to new technologies that provide similar service, such as wireline VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) or wireless phones. There is no process established by AB 2797 to dispute errors or reject COLR relief that gets “noticed” by a telecommunications carrier, nor are alternative services purportedly available required to serve a customer in the future (e.g., restore service post natural disaster).
AB 2797 is largely a response to the CPUC’s rejection of AT&T’s controversial Application for COLR relief. On June 20th, the CPUC unanimously voted to reject AT&T’s Application (with prejudice) and opened a new proceeding to contemplate holistic updates and potential changes to COLR rules.
While RCRC supports the evolution to more advanced technologies for internet and voice services that provide reliability, redundancy and ubiquitous access to connectivity, AB 2797, unfortunately, does not provide a transition process for these communities to receive these modern telecommunications. Rather, it is a process for companies to abandon essential services, at the cost of public safety and consumer safeguards.
See RCRC’s letter of opposition, here. AB 2797 has been referred to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communication Committee and will be heard on July 2nd. For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Tracy Rhine.