The California Public Utilities Commission, the same folks that brought California energy deregulation and the subsequent energy crisis in 2001, are about to completely deregulate telecommunications services in California. This state agency has enormous power, but it operates with little or no public scrutiny. Now, the Commission is moving forward with a proposal to completely deregulate price protections on all telecommunications services, including most services effective immediately, and even basic service in two years.
More, plus information on what you can do to oppose telecom deregulation, after the jump.
The dergulation proposal (which, ironically, was released on a day when California was threatened with rolling blackouts for the first time since 2001) is based on the Commission's "finding" that wireless telephone service and internet-based telephone service (VOIP) are effective substitutes for traditional wireline telephone service, and thus create a single marketplace for voice communications that will keep telecommunications prices in check. It also finds that competition "at the margins" provides adequate price protection for consumers throughout the state.
Basically, it is a giveaway to the major telecommunications providers. It will benefit consumers who want to purchase wireline, wireless and broadband service from the same provider through bundling at the expense of low income consumers who will pay more for basic services. Others who will be hurt include rural customers, who cost more to serve, small businesses, and people with disabilities.
The entire proposed decision can be found here (this gets you to an html version of just the intro page, with links available to a 250+ page pdf or word version). It will be up for a vote by the Commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting on August 24.
The Commission is made up of five members who are appointed by the governor and who must be confirmed by the State Senate. Going into the vote, expectations are that a final decision that looks a lot like the proposed decision will be approved 3-2. Please help make sure that the Commissioners hear from people that this is not what they want.
Here's what you can do to oppose more deregulation:
ACTION:
Contact the Commissioners:
Here's the PUC's Contact Us page,
including general phone numbers and a link to a general feedback form. It also has a link to the phone directory.
Here are the Commissioners:
John Bohn
Geoffrey Brown
Rachelle Chong
Michael Peevey
Dian Grueneich
You can also sign an online petition or send a letter to California legislators through The Utility Reform Network. They are a great consumer group that works before the Commission to protect the rights and interests of residential customers. I don't have any relationship with them, but I'm a huge fan. Take a look around their page for more utility-related actions, and consider signing up to support them.
If you are in California, write letter to your local paper. Tell them that deregulation was bad for energy companies, and it will be bad for telecommunications companies too.
This deregulation effort has received virtually no media coverage, and it likely will only be reported on once the vote is taken. Get the word out sooner.