Related to the resiliency, public safety and quality of broadband in Massachusetts
Impact
H3780 proposes significant amendments to Chapter 25C of the General Laws, granting the state Department the ultimate jurisdiction over all broadband and VoIP service standards, infrastructure, and oversight. This includes establishing regulations for service quality, resiliency, and reporting requirements for internet service providers. By allowing the department to conduct evaluations and audits, the bill aims to enhance accountability among providers, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for reliability and public safety.
Summary
House Bill 3780, presented by Representative Kip A. Diggs, addresses the critical need for resilient and high-quality broadband services in Massachusetts. The bill recognizes broadband access as essential for economic participation, education, and civic engagement, emphasizing the need to bridge gaps in service availability, affordability, and reliability. It seeks to formalize state regulator authority over broadband and Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to better ensure that these services meet public safety standards and remain accessible to all residents.
Contention
Notably, the bill includes provisions for customer refunds in the case of service outages exceeding three minutes, aiming to protect consumer interests in the telecom market. Moreover, it mandates that providers present transparent performance and service information to potential customers, which may enhance market competition. However, discussions around the bill may provoke debate regarding the balance of regulatory oversight versus free market principles, particularly how these regulations could affect smaller internet service providers in the state.