The Mich. PSC told state lawmakers any bill to extend, amend or r...
The Mich. PSC told state lawmakers any bill to extend, amend or replace the expiring Mich. Telecom Act should include provisions giving the PSC explicit consumer-protection and 911 jurisdiction over VoIP services. A recently introduced bill (HB-4600) would end…
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rate regulation of all retail telecom services but give the PSC explicit jurisdiction over wholesale services and consumer protection. But the bill doesn’t specifically mention VoIP. PSC Chmn. Peter Lark said the state act is silent on VoIP, which didn’t exist when that law was written, so VoIP users have no PSC recourse for problems. The PSC wants legislative authority to monitor VoIP’s effects on the state, its service providers and its citizens, and the power to implement “non-intrusive” registration mechanisms for VoIP providers so the PSC knows who they are and whom to contact about customer complaints and 911 public safety issues. The PSC said a recent inquiry into VoIP issues (Case U-14073) showed lack of 911 access and uncertainty about consumer safeguards to be major public concerns about VoIP service. The PSC said the jurisdiction it seeks wouldn’t conflict with the FCC Vonage decision that preempted state regulation of VoIP rates and terms.