The Telecommunications Act was written in 1985 and focused on wire-line residential telephone service, as it was the standard at that time. It was revisited in 2001, but recent advances in technology necessitated improved provisions. Senate Bill 107 levels the playing field for telephone carriers and changes the emphasis to the more modern technologies of wireless and broadband communications. The money freed up from the new regulation standards will allow carriers to invest in broadband and other technologies, creating many jobs in the process and updating the state’s existing infrastructure.

Important consumer protection clauses are built into the legislation that ensures consumers do not face drastic cost increases to their existing service. These packages are designed to protect consumers who rely solely on landline service for communication. In addition, these rates are guaranteed for the full-term of the newly crafted act, which will be revisited in three years.