Telecommunications Services

The CPB actively represents the interests of customers of regulated landline telephone service before the Public Service Commission (PSC). The CPB helps ensure that the price of landline telephone service continues to be reasonable, relevant consumer protections continue to be in place and that landline telephone service providers maintain high quality service.

With increased competition in the telecommunications industry, consumers now have additional alternatives to traditional landline telephone service. The CPB provides information to consumers regarding these new services. We also advocate on behalf of consumers regarding State regulation of cable television service and encourage providers of wireless telephone service to offer high quality and good service.

Detailed information regarding the CPB’s recent efforts regarding telecommunications services can be obtained from the links below.

•	Cable Television
•	Digital Television Transition
•	Frontier Telephone of Rochester
•	Verizon
•	Telecommunications Policy Issues
•	Wireless Telephone

Cable Television
•	Testimony on Rules and Regulations Concerning Cable Television Service - In testimony delivered July 24, 2003, the CPB demonstrates that certain proposed changes to rules and regulations governing cable television service would not serve consumer interests and should be rejected by the PSC. In particular, the CPB explains why: (1) the current requirement under which cable operators must automatically credit customers for service outages of more than four hours, some part of which occurred in prime time, should be maintained; (2) current requirements governing channel capacity for public, educational and governmental access channels should be maintained; and (3) existing service quality reporting rules should continue.
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Digital Television
•	What is the Digital TV transition? - The digital television (DTV) transition refers to the switch from analog to digital television broadcasts. Beginning on June 12, 2009, all United States television (TV) stations will be required to stop broadcasting in analog format and to transmit in digital format only. Viewers who receive “free” over-the-air television either through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” will be affected by this transition. If you currently subscribe to a cable or satellite TV company, your service should not be affected. Regardless, if you have concerns, contact your provider.
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Frontier Telephone of Rochester
•	Statement in Support of Proposal Regarding Service Quality - In this statement dated August 6, 2008, the CPB explains that it supports a Joint Proposal that it helped negotiate. It provides a new incentive for Frontier Telephone of Rochester and its affiliates in New York State including those operating under the Citizens Communications name, to offer high quality telephone service on its more than 670,000 access lines in New York, thereby enhancing public health, safety and welfare. The Agreement also streamlines and eliminates regulations that are no longer necessary or appropriate.

•	Comments Regarding Open Market Plan - Frontier of Rochester requested permission to terminate remaining provisions of their regulatory plan applicable to the Company since 1995. In comments dated July 11, 2005, the CPB explains that the Company’s request is premature, would provide no apparent benefit to consumers, and would eliminate an incentive for Frontier to provide high quality telephone service to all its customers.
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Verizon
•	Comments on Verizon Plan To Improve Service Quality - Verizon has repeatedly been unable to meet service standards for the timeliness of repairs in many communities in and around New York City. The CPB informed the PSC of this chronic poor performance in November 2006. Shortly thereafter, the PSC directed the company to submit a plan to improve its repair performance. On April 16, 2007, the CPB submitted these written comments identifying our concerns with Verizon's plan. We provide several recommendations to help ensure that Verizon meets applicable service quality standards in a timely fashion and is held accountable for any failure to do so.
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Telecommunications Policy Issues
•	Telephone Service Quality - Initial Comments - In comments submitted August 25, 2006, the CPB addresses recommendations by Staff of the Department of Public Service to revise service quality and consumer protection regulations applicable to telephone service providers. We explain that several of those recommendations should not be adopted because emerging competition does not obviate the need for regulation, particularly where public health, safety and welfare may be affected.
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Wireless Telephone
•	Testimony on Consumer Issues Regarding Wireless Telephone Service - On March 13, 2006, the CPB delivered testimony to the New York State Assembly's Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection as well as its Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. The CPB identifies some of the consumer benefits from wireless telephone service, as well as some of the continuing consumer concerns. This testimony provides an overview of the consumer complaints received by the CPB and other entities, and highlights the key areas in which additional consumer protections are required.
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