NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5960A
SPONSOR: Brennan TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to directing the public service commission to prepare
and complete a comprehensive examination and study of the telecommuni-
cations industry in this state
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require the Public Service Commission ("PSC") to conduct and complete
its analysis and study on the telecommunications industry in this State.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill mandates the PSC to conduct and complete a
comprehensive study of this State's telecommunications industry.
Section two sets forth the contents of the study, including:
*an inventory of all available telecommunications networks, including
fiber-to-the-premises, cable, wireless and landline technologies,
regardless of their regulatory status;
*the status of competition for telecommunication services and networks
in this state;
*the actual costs and revenues for each service, technology or network
or a reasonable estimate of such costs and revenue;
*the adequacy of the commission's current definition or list of basic
services that all customers are entitled to, including what services are
technologically available for inclusion in a basic service list; and
*whether the current level of capital expenditures by providers for
maintaining and repairing the copper wireline network is adequate to
ensure quality and reliability of service.
Section three describes the public review process for the study and
report, including the date for submission of the final report, by Decem-
ber 31, 2015.
Section four requires the commission to provide an explanatory letter to
the governor and legislative leaders if it fails to meet the deadlines.
Section five provides that the effective date is immediate.
JUSTIFICATION:
Since the telecommunications industry was de-regulated in this State
some 20 years ago, New Yorkers continue to pay among the highest rates
in the Nation for telecommunication services, while concerns remain
regarding service quality, options and reliability.
In May of 2014, the chair of the PSC informed State legislative leaders
that it has commenced, and will complete by the end of March, 2015, a
comprehensive study and analysis of the telecommunications industry in
this State, exploring, among other things, quality of service, consumer
protection, and affordability.
The legislature recently learned that the PSC will not meet its own
announced deadline, and has not indicated a new release date. This delay
is unacceptable, and will hurt New Yorkers. The study will determine,
among other things, whether the current fees and charges are unjust or
unreasonable, whether the services being provided are adequate or reli-
able, and whether the basic needs of low-income customers, in partic-
ular, senior citizens, the disabled population and rural customers, are
being addressed and met.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
