Kentucky’s telecom deregulation bill...
Kentucky’s telecom deregulation bill died in the House this week. AT&T-backed Senate Bill 88 would have reduced state regulation of phone services but prompted great concern from some consumer advocates. “AT&T drafted this bill, seeking to end its obligation to…
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provide basic local exchange phone service for all new and all existing customers in areas with over 5,000 housing units,” the Kentucky Resources Council said in its roundup of state legislation Wednesday (http://bit.ly/YM7y6e). “For exchanges with less than 5,000 housing units, AT&T, Windstream and Cincinnati Bell could require customers with stand-alone basic landline phone service to accept wireless voice service instead, and could cease offering basic phone service on an unbundled, stand-alone basis. The Public Service Commission would also lose regulatory powers over the quality and reliability of basic local exchange phone service.” The bill passed the Kentucky Senate 24-13 in February but failed to receive a vote in the House when the legislative session ended this month. “We're especially disappointed for the Kentucky consumers already demanding access to wireless and broadband services that are being held back by antiquated laws,” said AT&T Kentucky President Mary Pat Regan in a statement. “Sadly, despite strong bipartisan support for SB 88, House leadership did not give the bill honest and fair consideration.”