Maine lawmakers passed a telemarketing bill this week that would require telephone solicitors, before calling a consumer, to use the FCC’s reassigned numbers database to verify that the consumer’s number wasn't reassigned. The House passed LD-2234 Tuesday and the Senate did so Wednesday. Gov. Chris Sununu (R) will next consider the measure.
The California Public Utilities Commission scolded Verizon Wireless in an order Thursday for its handling of a case of alleged customer fraud. The CPUC granted relief to a family of complainants through a 4-0 vote on a consent agenda during a Thursday meeting. Verizon could face further sanctions, the agency said. “During the course of this proceeding, Verizon failed to disclose material information concerning the porting and reassignment of at least one of Complainants’ mobile phone numbers,” said the draft decision in docket C.23-12-005. “This proceeding will remain open in order to explore an Order to Show Cause against Verizon for this material omission.” The complainants alleged that, without notice, Verizon terminated service to and locked their five iPhones and associated phone numbers for reasons of fraud. The customers said that, as a result, they had to buy five phones and suffered irreparable injury to their businesses because they couldn’t port their locked numbers to another carrier. Verizon asked to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction because its agreement with customers requires arbitration. However, the CPUC said the arbitration clause doesn’t circumvent the commission’s authority. Also, the carrier argued that it may terminate customers’ phone services without notice under its agreement and in exigent circumstances. Verizon argued that it acted after determining that the customers committed fraud. The CPUC agreed that the carrier could terminate customers’ service, but was “not satisfied with the way Verizon's Fraud Department handled this case and the allegations against the Complainants.” Accordingly, the CPUC required that Verizon confidentially “submit a comprehensive report of the procedures and criteria used … to identify and accuse customers of fraud,” with “specific evidence that supported Verizon's claim that the Complainants in this case engaged in fraudulent activity.” Also, the CPUC said the customer agreement “does not authorize Verizon to lock a phone or lock a number associated with a mobile phone.” So, the agency required Verizon to unlock five iPhones and their associated numbers. In addition, the CPUC required the carrier to refund the customers the costs of three of the five locked phones, plus the five replacement phones they bought after their service was terminated. Verizon declined to comment.
The Maine legislature approved a telecom bill Tuesday that would allow the Maine Public Utilities Commission to designate wireless companies as eligible telecom carriers for the federal Lifeline program. Like some states, Maine currently relies on the FCC to designate mobile phone providers as ETCs. The bill (LD-2193) needs Gov. Chris Sununu's (R) signature. Florida's legislature passed a similar bill earlier this month (see 2403050070).
The telecom industry continued to raise concerns about a Minnesota broadband safety and workforce bill. SF-4742 would set aside a portion of federal broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program funding for companies that agree to workforce “best practices” including payment of prevailing wages and annual skills training. At a livestreamed Wednesday meeting, the Minnesota Senate Energy Committee amended the bill and voted 8-6 to advance it to the Agriculture Committee. The committee delayed voting on the bill Monday after multiple senators and the telecom industry raised concerns that it would slow high-speed internet expansion (see 2403180048). Sponsor Sen. Jennifer McEwan (D) said she had “productive” talks with stakeholders during the previous 48 hours, leading to a Wednesday amendment with “more inclusive language.” There still isn't “perfect agreement," said McEwan, but talks will continue. The amendment doesn’t resolve the Minnesota Cable Communications Association’s concerns, testified the association’s counsel, Anthony Mendoza. Then "this bill still has more work to do," responded Sen. Andrew Mathews (R), who voted no on clearing the legislation. Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen (R) also opposed the bill, saying the state should have a “level playing field” when seeking grants. The Wireless ISP Association opposed SF-4742 in a Wednesday letter to the committee. The bill’s proposed changes to state broadband law “will significantly impair WISPA members’ ability to compete for grant dollars, will delay important broadband expansion projects, and will put increased strain on an already challenging workforce availability landscape,” the association wrote.
The California Public Utilities Commission again delayed votes on an AT&T enforcement item and another proposal to make a foster youth program permanent. Both were scheduled for Thursday’s meeting, but staff postponed them until the April 18 meeting, said a CPUC hold list Tuesday. CPUC President Alice Reynolds previously asked to address the AT&T item at a Feb. 15 meeting (see 2402150067). It would deny the carrier’s corrective action plan explaining how it will correct failures and improve service after failing to meet the state’s out-of-service repair interval standard in 2021. In addition, the CPUC originally planned a Feb. 15 vote on the foster youth proposal but twice postponed it. Earlier this month, the agency received a dire warning from the foster youth pilot program’s administrator, iFoster (see 2403110042), which said the current draft would create a program “destined to fail.”
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed 911 legislation, HB-1092, which would increase South Dakota’s 911 fee on monthly phone bills to $2, from $1.25, the governor’s office said Tuesday. The legislature passed the bill earlier this month (see 2403060026).
The Wyoming Public Service Commission granted applications for eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation to Terracom, TruConnect, Infiniti Mobile and T-Mobile’s Assurance Wireless. All four companies sought ETC designation for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline services in Wyoming, according to last week's orders, which were released Monday.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) approved a bill aimed at removing restrictions on leasing dark fiber. Pillen signed LB-61 Monday. The new law allows public power utilities to lease dark fiber and work with ISPs providing high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas.
A Pennsylvania privacy bill passed the House in a 139-62 vote Monday. Microsoft supports the comprehensive measure (HB-1201), which would be enforced solely by the state attorney general and includes a 60-day right to cure (see 2309060060). The bill will go to the Senate.
The Maryland House approved a comprehensive privacy bill in a 105-32 vote Saturday. A House committee last month heard testimony on the bill (HB-567), including generally positive reviews from consumer privacy groups (see 2402140053). The Senate passed the similar SB-541 by a 46-0 vote on Thursday.