A bill that would make it easier for...

A bill that would make it easier for Colorado telcos to be excused from carrier-of-last resort (COLR) obligations was among five broadband bills approved by the state House and Senate Monday. Under HB-1331 (http://tinyurl.om/o2fse9x), sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Angela Williams and supported by CenturyLink, the Public Utilities Commission would also no longer have regulatory authority over basic local exchange service in areas deemed competitive, setting the stage for telcos to no longer provide landline service within two years (CD March 19 p12). In areas not deemed competitive, and where the PUC provides support, providers would still be subject to COLR obligations, but could meet the obligation by providing voice service through any technology, not just traditional landlines. Among the other measures passed in Colorado were HB-1329 (http://bit.ly/1kaR4yK), which removes the PUC’s authority over IP services and HB 1328 (http://bit.ly/1rJZz9Q), which shifts the state’s high-cost support mechanism to a new fund for expanding broadband services in underserved areas.