Vermont H 898: An act relating to copper-based to fiber-based telecommunications network transitions and consumer protections

Bill Text

BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.898
2026 Page 1 of 7
H.898
Introduced by Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure
Date:
Subject: Telecommunications; telephone service; copper-to-fiber network
transitions; VoIP service; backup power; consumer protections
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish
consumer protections related to a legacy telephone company’s transition from
a copper-based network to a fiber-based network and, in addition, to establish
reporting requirements designed to inform State policy with regard to ensuring
all telephone customers have continuous and reliable access to emergency
services.
An act relating to copper-based to fiber-based telecommunications network
transitions and consumer protections
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. 30 V.S.A. § 227f is added to read:
§ 227f. TRANSITION FROM COPPER-BASED TO FIBER-BASED
TELEPHONE SERVICE; CONSUMER PROTECTIONS
(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) When a telecommunications carrier transitions its infrastructure
from a copper-based network to a fiber-based network, it is critical to ensure
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BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.898
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that existing customers have continued access to high-quality, reliable
telecommunications service.
(2) The transition to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service over a
fiber-based network may affect service reliability, consumer choices, and
access to emergency services, particularly for vulnerable populations,
including older adults and those with medical dependencies.
(3) Unlike traditional service over a self-powered copper-based
network—otherwise known as plain old telephone service or POTS—a fiber-
based service relies upon an optical network terminal (ONT), which must be
connected to a power source or outlet at a customer’s home or business in
order to be operational.
(4) In the event of a power outage, most backup batteries connected to
the ONT will provide VoIP service for up to eight hours; however, backup
power systems that provide service for a longer duration are also available.
(5) Previously, federal regulations had required providers of facilities-
based, fixed, residential voice services that are not line powered, such as VoIP
service, to offer for sale at least one option with eight hours of standby backup
power, as well as an additional 24-hour option, to ensure customer equipment
maintained E-911 access during a power outage. However, those requirements
were sunset by operation of law on September 1, 2025.
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(6) There is a need for clear customer safeguards to ensure continuous
and reliable service during the transition to and in the provision of VoIP
service and for enhanced State oversight of customer access to emergency
services, generally.
(b) Intent. It is the intent of the General Assembly to balance telephone
network modernization with customer safeguards during a copper-to-fiber
network transition and to enhance State oversight with regard to ensuring that
all telephone customers have continuous and reliable access to emergency
services.
(c) Definition. As used in this section, “VoIP service” means an
interconnected, facilities-based, fixed, residential voice service that is not line
powered.
(d) Notice of network transition. A telecommunications carrier proposing
to transition from a copper-based network to a fiber-based network in its
service territory shall provide written notice by U.S. first-class mail and email
to the Commissioner of Public Service, the E-911 Board, and all affected
customers at least 120 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to the planned
transition. In a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner, the notice
shall include:
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(1) the date the transition is expected to occur;
(2) the details of service changes, including any potential impact on a
customer’s telephone service and whether the carrier will offer a reasonably
comparable replacement service in relation to pricing, terms, and conditions;
(3) information sufficient to inform customers about the need to test and
verify any auxiliary telecommunications devices, such as alarm systems and
medical alert devices, to ensure they function properly over the new VoIP
service;
(4) disclosures about whether the carrier is obligated to provide
regulated landline voice service to residential customers in its service territory;
(5) information on the need for and availability of backup power
options and battery backup devices to maintain service continuity during a
power outage;
(6) a link to the consumer protection rules in Public Utility Commission
Rule 7.600, Standards for Billing, Credit and Collections, and Customer
Information for Telecommunications Carriers, which incl