State Interests Tell FCC That Legacy Landline Service Remains Critical
The National Association of Utility Consumer Advocates, the Utility Reform Network and other state interests protested FCC proposals to speed copper retirements and other network changes (see 2510010031) in reply comments posted Friday in docket 25-208. Also signing the filing were state regulators in Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland and Oregon.
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Legacy landline service “has historically been the backbone of disaster preparedness and response communications technology,” the joint filing said. “Though its market share may be shrinking, it is still the most reliable way to ensure emergency communications are reaching first responders and that first responder networks are able to remain operational.” The FCC’s proposed changes, including the elimination of network change filings, forbearance from discontinuance requirements and federal preemption of state carrier-of-last-resort obligations, “pose significant risks to network reliability, consumer safety, and continuity of 911 access.”