Bill Introduced to Address Rural Call Completion Problems

Sen Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced the Public Safety and Economic Security Communications Act which aims to help prevent long-distance carriers from blocking or disrupting calls to rural areas.

Some people may not realize what a big deal it is when calls don’t go through to rural areas. But the ultimate result is that peoples’ lives are put in danger and companies lose business. That’s a big deal -- and the bill’s name better conveys what a big deal it is.

In a statement included in the Congressional Record, Sen Johnson noted that the rural call completion problem “poses a serious public safety threat, such as when a police dispatcher cannot reach law enforcement or when a doctor cannot call a patient.”

Sen Johnson’s bill would require companies that transport voice calls to register with the Federal Communications Commission and comply with basic service quality standards, which would be established by the commission within 180 days of enactment.