Public Utilities Commission: telecommunications service: natural disasters: reports.
AB 2910 requires telecommunications service providers to report their efforts and resources used in restoring service after outages caused by disasters. This includes details such as the extent of damages to infrastructure, the number of service outages, their duration, and specific data on 911 system outages. The mandated annual reports will include breakdowns by each emergency or natural disaster, which will be submitted to the Legislature and publicly available. The intent is to better track the effectiveness of service providers in crisis situations and to improve future responses.
Assembly Bill 2910, introduced by Assembly Member Wood, is aimed at enhancing the oversight and response of telecommunications service providers in California during natural disasters. The bill adds Section 910.8 to the Public Utilities Code, mandating the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to collect and report information on telecommunications outages caused by natural disasters declared by the Governor. This legislation is part of a broader effort to ensure that essential telecommunications services remain operational during emergencies, thus facilitating public safety and communication.
The sentiment around AB 2910 generally reflects a proactive stance towards disaster response and public safety. Proponents of the bill see it as a necessary step in regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure that Californians have access to reliable communication during critical times. However, there may be concerns regarding the administrative burden this may impose on service providers and the potential implications for service costs.
One area of contention could arise from the bill's requirements for collecting and reporting information, which some telecommunications providers might view as cumbersome or an overreach of state authority. Additionally, the potential for increased costs associated with these new reporting requirements may also spark debate among stakeholders about operational impacts and who bears the financial burden of compliance, especially for smaller service providers.