Young's Call Connectivity Legislation Approved By House Committee

Press Release

Iowa Congressman David Young's Improving Call Quality and Reliability Act (H.R. 2566) was considered and approved by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee during a markup today. The legislation, which addresses call quality standards and reliability problems in rural areas, will next head to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

"Consistent and reliable phone service helps folks across rural America connect with their families, conduct their business, respond to emergencies, and more," Congressman Young said. "Inconsistent and unsatisfactory phone service should not be the norm for our rural communities, and my legislation seeks to address this problem. I thank my colleagues, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, for working with me and look forward to making further progress on this important bill."

The Improving Call Quality and Reliability Act requires providers register with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and meet quality standards ensuring rural Americans can rely on phone service. It also prohibits providers from using any intermediary routing services not registered with the FCC.

Congressman Young introduced the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act last year alongside his lead cosponsor Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT).

The bill was examined by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, during a hearing entitled "Rural Call Quality and Reliability on September 8, 2016. The legislation was subsequently marked up by the subcommittee on September 13, 2016, before it was sent to the full committee for consideration.

A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate where it, too, is being considered.

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