Connecticut Senate Bill SB00314

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23

Caption

An Act Concerning Emergency Response By Telecommunications Companies After Outages.

Impact

By passing SB00314, state laws will be amended to enhance consumer rights in the telecommunications sector. This change is expected to create a more predictable and fair framework for service providers, requiring them to take responsibility for their service reliability and responsiveness. The bill aims to protect consumers from lengthy service interruptions and enhance the accountability of these essential service providers.

Summary

SB00314 is a legislative proposal introduced to enhance accountability among telecommunications and internet service providers in the event of service outages. The bill mandates that these companies provide residential customers with a compensation credit of one hundred dollars for each full day that their service is disrupted. This initiative aims to protect consumers by ensuring that they are compensated during prolonged outages, which can cause significant disruptions in their daily lives.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB00314 include concerns from telecommunications companies regarding the financial implications of providing daily credits for outages. Some advocates argue that while consumer protection is essential, the financial burden on providers could lead to increased service costs or reduced investment in infrastructure. On the other hand, proponents insist on the necessity of the measure to ensure that companies are motivated to maintain and improve service reliability.