What's happening
This bill establishes a temporary moratorium on replacing landline telephone service with wireless systems in New York, pending further review.
Why it matters
Protects vulnerable populations and critical services. By pausing the replacement of landline (copper-based) networks with wireless systems, the bill aims to ensure that essential services—such as home alarm systems, health monitoring equipment, and reliable communication for the deaf and hard-of-hearing—are not disrupted before thorough review.
Requires comprehensive public review and accountability. The bill mandates public hearings and a detailed report by the Public Service Commission, which must examine the technical, consumer, and safety impacts of switching to wireless service, including effects on reliability, emergency communications, and service equity.
Ensures consumer choice and emergency flexibility. While imposing a moratorium, the bill allows individual customers to voluntarily opt for wireless replacement and makes exceptions for emergency situations, balancing consumer protection with flexibility for those who want or need the transition.
Reveals industry transition plans. By requiring telephone companies to disclose their annual plans for replacing landline service, the bill seeks transparency about the pace and scope of telecommunications infrastructure changes that could affect service quality and access statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Pause Landline-to-Wireless Switch
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3733
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT in relation to establishing a moratorium on telephone corporations on the replacement of landline telephone service with a wireless system; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. a. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, commencing with the effective date of this act, there shall be a moratorium on any and all actions taken by telephone corporations subject to article 5 of the public service law to replace landline or wireline telephone service with a wireless system.
b. On or before April 1, 2018, the public service commission, after conducting one or more public hearings, shall prepare and submit a report to the governor and the state legislature setting forth its findings and conclusions on the report to be submitted by a telephone corporation by November 1, 2013 to the public service commission pursuant to an order issued by the public service commission on May 16, 2013 with respect to case no. 13-C-0197.
c. The public service commission shall include in the report submitted pursuant to subdivision b of this section its findings and conclusions on the following questions:
(1) How does the replacement of a copper-based wireline telecommunications network with a wireless system affect or impact:
(A) the incumbent local exchange carrier's (ILEC) ability to provide adequate, efficient, proper, reliable, and sufficient service?
(B) the ability of ILEC to provide its customers access to service options, including, but not limited to, Internet access?
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07586-01-7
A. 3733 2
(C) the ability of other service providers, including, but not limited to, alarm monitoring companies, home health monitoring equipment providers, to provide services to consumers and businesses?
(D) the ability of deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers to access communications services in accordance with section 91-a of the public service law?
(E) ILECs' rates and charges?
(F) ILECs' ability to comply with the mandate to provide "adequate service" pursuant to section 91 of the public service law?
(G) ILECs' ability to provide reliable connections to public safety or law enforcement agencies during normal operating conditions? during extreme weather conditions? during power outages?
(H) network reliability?
(2) Does the replacement of a copper-based wireline telecommunications network with a wireless system subject affected customers to an undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in violation of subdivision 3 of section 91 of the public service law?
(3) What are the specific annual plans of ILECs during each of the current and subsequent four calendar years regarding their intentions to substitute wireless for wireline service?
§ 2. This act shall not apply to any actions taken by a telephone corporation pursuant to an order issued by the public service commission on May 16, 2013 with respect to case no. 13-C-0197 relating to the western part of Fire Island, New York.
§ 3. Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent or preclude (1) a telephone company from replacing a copper-based wireline communications network with a wireless system for any customer who, after receiving appropriate notice and information, consents in writing to such replacement on forms prepared by the public service commission; or (2) the public service commission, in the aftermath of a weather-related or natural event or emergency, from authorizing a telephone corporation to take any actions that are suspended by this act.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 1, 2018.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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