BILL NUMBER: S3479A

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring certain
notices to be provided to customers receiving telephone service through
fiber optic-based telephone lines

 
PURPOSE:

To authorize the PSC to require telephone corporations to provide notice
to customers in the event of a. switch from copper to fiber optic-based
telephone lines.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one adds a new section 104 to the public service law. Pursuant
to this section, the commission shall require each telephone corporation
that provides local exchange service to provide a notice containing
information to customers on the differences between copper-based tele-
phone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lines prior to when such
              

telephone corporation initiates a change to a customer's telephone
service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber optic-based telephone
lines. Except (i) in cases of emergency, including but not limited to
restoration. or repair of service, or (ii) upon the request of the
customer, such notice shall be provided to the customer at least forty-
five days before such telephone corporation initiates a change to such
customer's telephone service from copper-based telephone lines to fiber
optic-based. telephone lines. Such notice shall include, but not he
limited to the following: a description of. the differences between
copper-based. telephone lines and fiber optic-based telephone lees; the
differences between the effect a power outage would have on the tele-
phone service provided by copper -based and fiber optic-based telephone
lines, including the availability of battery back-up options; an expla-
nation of whether the service will continue to be regulated by the
commission; and a phone number and contact information for customers who
seek additional information or wish to make a complaint to the commis-
sion.

This section further provides that the commission shall have the power
to prescribe the form and content of the notice established pursuant to
this section. In addition, every telephone corporation shall file with
the commission the notice established pursuant to this section and
obtain approval as to the foam and content thereof prior to providing
notice to customers.

Section two provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In efforts to provide more efficient service to customers, telecommuni-
cation corporations have begun switching from copper-based telephone
lines to fiber optic-based lines. Some of the benefits to using fiber
optic lines over copper lines include the fact that they are less expen-
sive to install; they do not break down as easily and are also less
susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as temperature and
electromagnetic fluctuations; and they offer enhanced. performance capa-
bilities, for instance faster speeds and lower rates of signal loss.
However, the use of fiber optic lines does present certain consider-
ations. One significant issue is a customer's inability to use their
telephone in the event of a power outage. During an outage, a phone
connected to a copper wire line will continue to work. However, a phone
connected to a fiber optic line will only work during an outage if a
customer has a back-up battery. The phone would continue to work until
the battery runs out of power. This situation is especially problematic
for low income individuals who might not have access to a back-up
battery nor even the resources to purpose one, the elderly, and also for
those who rely on their landline at home for work purposes, su ch as
doctors who use their phone to connect with. patients when they are out
of the office.

This legislation adds a new section to the Public Service Law to author-
ize the Public Service Commission to require all telephone corporations
providing local exchange services to provide notice to customers prior
to a customer's service being switched from copper-based telephone lines
to fiber optic-based telephone lines.  The notice shall include a.
description of the differences between copper-based lines and fiber
optic-based lines; the differences between the effect a power outage
would have on the telephone service provided by copper-based and fiber
optic-based lines; an explanation of whether the service will continue
to be regulated by the commission; and contact information for customers
who want additional information or wish. to make a complaint to the
commission.

This legislation will support greater transparency and will provide
customers with the resources to understand the changes and potential
disruptions to their service when their telephone lines are switched
from copper to fiber optic-based lines.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Previously Introduced.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become law.