New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A3272

Introduced
3/7/22  

Caption

Requires CATV company to establish toll-free telephone number for customers to report and to receive updates concerning CATV service outages.

Impact

If enacted, A3272 will necessitate changes to existing operational practices within CATV companies across New Jersey. The requirement for a toll-free number is expected to streamline the reporting and communication process during outages, potentially leading to quicker resolutions and improved customer relations. This move is anticipated to reduce frustration for customers who currently face difficulty in getting timely updates about service issues. Additionally, it would compel companies to actively engage in communication with their customer base more transparently.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3272 seeks to enhance the communication protocols between cable television (CATV) companies and their customers regarding service outages. Specifically, the bill mandates that CATV companies establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number for their customers. This number will serve multiple functions, including enabling customers to report service outages, receive updates concerning the status of these outages, and gather information on the expected time for restoration of service. This provision is intended to improve customer satisfaction and keep users informed during service interruptions.

Contention

Discussion around A3272 may highlight the costs and responsibilities it imposes on CATV companies for implementation. While proponents argue that the bill will enhance customer trust and service reliability, opponents might raise concerns about the financial burden on smaller CATV providers that may find compliance challenging. Furthermore, there could be debates over the effectiveness of such measures in genuinely improving service, or whether other regulatory steps need to be considered to ensure comprehensive service quality.

Companion Bills

NJ S1859

Same As Requires CATV company to establish toll-free telephone number for customers to report and to receive updates concerning CATV service outages.

Previously Filed As

NJ A2982

Requires CATV company to establish toll-free telephone number for customers to report and to receive updates concerning CATV service outages.

NJ S1859

Requires CATV company to establish toll-free telephone number for customers to report and to receive updates concerning CATV service outages.

NJ S2570

Requires CATV company to establish toll-free telephone number for customers to report and to receive updates concerning CATV service outages.

NJ A4101

Requires social media companies to establish toll-free telephone number for NJ account holders to report fraudulent account actions.

NJ S3017

Requires social media companies to establish toll-free telephone number for NJ account holders to report fraudulent account actions.

NJ S1855

Requires electric public utilities to establish toll-free telephone number to be used by public for reporting damaged equipment and dangerous vegetation.

NJ A3633

Requires electric public utilities to establish toll-free telephone number to be used by public for reporting damaged equipment and dangerous vegetation.

NJ A235

Requires electric public utilities to establish toll-free telephone number to be used by public for reporting damaged equipment and dangerous vegetation.

NJ A2727

Requires CATV companies to prorate subscriber's CATV service bills, to provide notice to subscribers of certain information, and to annually file terms and conditions with BPU for review.

NJ A508

Requires certain CATV companies to provide Internet service at public libraries with business customer class Internet access bandwidth and circuit capacity proportional to public libraries' needs.

Similar Bills

VA SB1339

Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection Act; telephone solicitations by text message, effective date.

CA AB1231

Telecommunications: combining lifeline, federal lifeline, and federal Affordable Connectivity Program subsidies.

NC H936

Robocall Solicitation Modifications

CA SB716

Lifeline program: broadband internet access service.

CA AB1588

Telecommunications: duties of local exchange carriers.

CA AB2808

Primary ticket sellers.

CA SB1272

Crimes: intercepting telephone communications.

CA AB2885

False campaign speech and online platform disclosures.