Basic voice service is “still vital to public...
Basic voice service is “still vital to public safety” and “day-to-day personal and business communications of millions of people,” Public Knowledge Senior Staff Attorney Jodie Griffin plans to tell the Senate Communications Subcommittee Thursday. That’s according to written testimony (http://bit.ly/1l6qxGW)…
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for the 9:15 a.m. hearing on the IP transition and public safety in 253 Russell. “Unfortunately, we are already seeing complaints arise across the country that indicate the network compact may start fraying at the edges if policymakers don’t step in to protect consumers,” Griffin will say, pointing to companies “forcing customers off of traditional copper-based phone service” and problems that may just be the tip of the iceberg. “We have also already seen complaints from rural residents experiencing degraded service due to rural call completion problems.” The FCC should retain authority to oversee such problems and make sure customers have reliable service, Griffin will argue. She focuses on how the IP transition could affect certain groups such as the elderly and a need for the FCC to clarify its Communications Act Section 214(a) standard, which involves when a company can discontinue, reduce or impair service to a given community and is not, according to Griffin, suited for an IP era. Other witnesses represent APCO, the FCC, NARUC and USTelecom.