PHONE Act of 2023 Preserving Home and Office Numbers in Emergencies Act of 2023
Impact
The bill introduces specific provisions regarding telephone service during disasters, mandating that numbers cannot be reassigned without the subscriber's explicit request. Subscribers residing in areas declared as disaster zones will have their phone numbers preserved for a year after the disaster declaration, thereby preventing service interruptions that could hinder emergency responses and recovery processes. As a result, communities affected by disasters can maintain continuity in communication, which is crucial for rebuilding efforts.
Summary
House Bill 6836, known as the PHONE Act of 2023, aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 by instituting a moratorium on the reassignment of phone numbers in designated disaster areas. This legislation is particularly relevant during major disasters declared by the President, where existing communication infrastructures might be severely impacted. The bill is designed to ensure that subscribers retain their assigned numbers, thus improving communication reliability during recovery efforts from disasters.
Contention
One potential point of contention surrounding HB6836 may involve the implications it poses for telecommunication service providers. While the bill seeks to protect consumers, service providers may express concerns regarding the administrative burdens associated with maintaining inactive numbers or the challenges in managing service portfolios during emergencies. The need for coordination between the states and telecommunications agencies to properly identify and navigate these emergency declarations also presents a logistical challenge that could be met with scrutiny.