I asked Shaun Parks of PUC, PA what we could do right now. With deregulation, there will be no funding available for government groups to ensure consumer protection, or dispensaries of new compatible equipment for disabled, seniors and low income people who need accessible equipment to meet their communication needs. It is interesting to note that cell phones and new mobile devices are not actually phones. These older devices use the copper access lines. With deregulation, analogue equipment will eventually just quit working.Īnalogue equipment are not only tty, tdd and older captioned phones, they are also medic alert devices for seniors who need assistance when "fall down and can't get up". If someone moves into a new area, and these cables are not available for their equipment, no new lines will be put in. Because of this, they concluded that since fewer people use these access lines, they do not want to repair or replace these lines. Verizon was affected because their lines took a hard hit in some areas. How did this bill get proposed? During Hurricane Sandy, many of the copper lines, (also known as access lines) became damaged. Though the phone companies say this will "level the field", what it really means is that a lesser quality company can come in and provide very little service to rural areas, and not have to answer to anyone for poor service.Īlong with lesser quality service and companies, this opens the field to greater possibility of our disabled and senior populations to be prey to scams and scammers. Many of our elderly and disabled people are not able to afford the equipment or services that will come with deregulation. This will affect EVERYONE because that means there will no longer be consumer protection, and everyone will be at the mercy of the phone companies.ĭeregulation means there will no longer be dispensary programs for disabled people who need special communication equipment, such as tty, tdd and captioned phones. It asks for the deregulation of telephone companies. ![]() This bill has many items that affect the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Speech Impaired and the elderly, as well as anyone who is using analogue equipment. We meet at the Public Utilities Commission several times a year.Īt our most recent meeting, we had members from PUC come and discuss with us House Bill 1608 and what it is all about. Your expenses will be covered if you travel into Harrisburg, PA to our meetings. Are you a relay user in PA? Let us know if you're interested in serving on this board. There are currently 3 vacant positions open for public members. As many of you know, I am on the Telecommunications Advisory Board for Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
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