A measure that would make it easier for...

A measure that would make it easier for Michigan telecom companies to stop providing landline service (CD Feb 19 p11) passed the state House Tuesday. A leading critic said the measure is likely to survive a conference committee with the Senate and be enacted. SB-636 (http://1.usa.gov/1feaIv2) would allow ILECs including AT&T to stop providing landline service as of Jan. 1, 2017, without approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission. Under an amendment added to the bill, companies that drop landline service would be required to follow any guidelines, rules or regulations set out in the FCC IP transition trials. “AARP remains concerned that some people could be left without affordable, reliable phone service when this bill takes effect. Also, it does not provide the consumer protections that are in current telecommunications law,” said the critic, Melissa Seifert, AARP Michigan associate state director-governmental affairs, in a statement. Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan, said in a statement that the bill, if signed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R), would “update Michigan regulations to make it easier for phone companies like AT&T to invest in new, more efficient communications services.” Under the bill, ending landline service would still require FCC approval, but not from the MPSC. If a customer filed a complaint after the discontinuation of service, the MPSC would investigate whether the area still has comparable voice service, including VoIP and wireless, with reliable access to emergency service. If not, the MPSC could declare an emergency in the area, saying it’s not served by at least one voice service provider offering comparable voice service with reliable access to 911 and other emergency services. The MPSC could then ask other providers to voluntarily provide the service, including through VoIP or wireless, but it couldn’t force the current provider to do so. If there’s no willing provider, the provider that ended the service would be required to step back in. If VoIP, wireless or another technology were able to provide the service, the provider would not have to continue traditional landline service.