Telecommunication Bill Update and Action Required
By William A. Signer, AICC Lobbyist
HOUSE ACTION:
On Thursday, June 8, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 321 to 101 the "Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006," H.R. 5252.
H. R. 5252 included our Alarm VoIP Consumer Notification language, which requires VoIP providers prior to installation or number activation to provide "clear and conspicuous" notice to consumers who have alarm systems:
1. To contact their alarm provider to test their system after installation of VoIP phone;
2. To tell the customer to notify their monitoring company that they have installed VoIP phone service; and
3. That a battery backup should be installed for the alarm system to function.
SENATE PENDING ACTION:
Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) has included similar, but slightly stronger language in the latest draft of his bill that is scheduled to be considered by the full Commerce Committee Tuesday, June 20. His language indicates that a back up battery "is required" for the alarm system to work.
WHAT WAS NOT INCLUDED:
VoIP:
Both the House and Senate failed to include language which would require the same "clear and conspicuous" notice to be included in the packing that accompanies equipment directly sold to a consumer who self installs VoIP phone service. Since self installation of VoIP phone services is fast becoming the predominate manner in which VoIP phone services are installed, it is important that notice be included in the packaging of the equipment that is purchased from consumer electronics stores and is being installed. Including a "clear and conspicuous" notice for consumers is not onerous and will provide the consumer with the information they need in order to ensure that they continue to receive uninterrupted alarm monitoring services.
RECIPROCITY:
Neither the House or the Senate included our alarm monitoring reciprocity licensure proposal. This provision is important because alarm monitoring has moved from a local intra-latta service to a regional and national service. Yet licensure continues to be done on a state and local basis. This often means that alarm monitoring company officers and personnel must travel repeatedly to various jurisdictions to take different proficiency exams and to be fingerprinted in each location for FBI background checks. A much better approach would be to allow states that choose to license monitoring companies to do so, but have other states recognize the monitoring license, if the original state adopts the proposed model licensing law or has a law that is the equivalent or better, then a license issued by that state would have to be honored by every state. Thus, monitoring licenses would be treated like driver's licenses. We would continue to pay any state or local fees and have to register to do business where applicable. The elimination of repetitious and costly state licensure would benefit consumers by providing them with the benefits of competition, which will result in more efficient and competitive service.
ACTION REQUIRED:
FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK AND ON MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK - CALL AND/OR E-MAIL YOUR SENATOR IF HE SITS ON THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND ASK THEM TO:
1. Add to Sec. 715 (C) -- IP-Enable Emergency Response Systems -- language that would require the same "clear and conspicuous" notice that the bill requires prior to installation or number activation also be included in the packaging of equipment sold directly to consumers for self installation of VoIP phone service. This is not an onerous requirement and will give consumers the information they need to ensure that they have uninterrupted protection of their life, health safety, and property.
- To download the proposed VoIP Amendment, click here.
- To see the full Senate Bill, click here.
2. Include Model State Alarm Licensure language that will allow alarm monitoring companies to be licensed in a state which either adopts or meets those standards and have that license honored by all states. Consumers will benefit from improved service and competition, and the FBI will no longer have to conduct repeated background checks. If the standards in the model law are met, then a monitoring license should be honored much as a driver's license is currently honored.
- To download some talking points on Licensing Reciprocity, click here.
- To see a draft of the Reciprocity Bill, click here.
SENATORS TO BE CONTACTED:
- Ted Stevens (R-AK)*
- Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
- John McCain (R-AZ)* -- Interested In Reciprocity
- John Rockefeller (D-WV)
- Conrad Burns (R-MT)
- John Kerry (D-MA)
- Trent Lott (R-MS)* -- Supportive of the VoIP issue
- Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
- Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX)*
- Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
- Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
- Bill Nelson (D-FL)
- Gordon Smith (R-OR)
- Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
- George Allen (R-VA)
- Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) -- Could be our champion on both issues: VoIP and Reciprocity
- John Sununu (R-NH)
- Ben Nelson (D-NE)
- Jim Demint (R-SC)
- Mark Pryor (D-AK)
- David Vitter (R-LA)
* Indicates Senator is running for reelection.
Click here to access the contact information and the name of the appropriate Senate staffer to call.
