[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1655-S1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota:
  S. 2125. A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure the 
integrity of voice communications and to prevent unjust or unreasonable 
discrimination among areas of the United States in the delivery of such 
communications; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss a 
widespread problem affecting rural communities in South Dakota and 
across our country. This issue represents both a public safety and 
economic issue for rural America.
  For far too long, rural communities have experienced problems with 
long-distance or wireless telephone calls that are not being properly 
connected. The call completion problem extends beyond South Dakota and 
has affected telephone customers in dozens of states. These call 
failures create frustration and concern for family members trying to 
connect with friends and family, as well as small businesses losing 
business because they miss calls from customers. The problem also poses 
a serious public safety threat, such as when a police dispatcher cannot 
reach law enforcement or when a doctor cannot call a patient regarding 
follow-up care. Rural telephone customers affected by this problem are 
rightfully frustrated and demand a solution.
  I first learned about this issue from the manager of a rural health 
clinic in Canistota, SD. The clinic has experienced a decline in 
business as a result of the call completion problems. Incoming calls 
regularly do not reach the clinic and therefore go unanswered. 
Additionally, some patients have heard misleading messages about the 
clinic's number being disconnected, which leads them to believe the 
clinic has closed. This is just one example of the negative impact this 
problem is having on communities and Main Street businesses across 
rural America.
  To be honest, I could barely believe it when I first learned about 
this issue. Today, we should be worried about narrowing the digital 
divide not worrying whether rural communities have access to basic 
telephone service. While many factors could be at play, the Federal 
Communications Commission believes the use of third-party ``least cost 
routers'' to connect calls is a leading cause of the problem. It 
appears that some of these intermediate providers are failing to 
properly complete calls to avoid the higher access charges associated 
with rural telephone networks. It is particularly challenging to 
resolve the problem because calls are often dropped before they reach 
the rural telephone network, making it difficult for rural providers to 
pinpoint when and where problems occur.
  Over the past few years, I have worked with many of my Senate 
colleagues, the FCC, telephone providers, and consumers to fix this 
problem and hold those causing this problem accountable. I would like 
to say a special thank you to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Deb Fischer 
for joining me in introducing a Sense of the Senate resolution last May 
that directed the FCC to take action to end these discriminatory 
practices. Since our resolution

[[Page S1656]]

was introduced, the commission unanimously approved rules to strengthen 
its ability to monitor and enforce the delivery of calls to rural 
areas. Although the commission's rulemaking and ongoing investigation 
represent a step in the right direction, a more immediate resolution is 
needed.
  Today, I introduced the Public Safety and Economic Security 
Communications Act. This legislation takes immediate action to stop the 
bad actors that are failing to complete calls to rural areas. The bill 
includes common sense reforms that will help end the discriminatory 
delivery of calls by requiring voice providers to register with the FCC 
and comply with basic service quality standards. The legislation will 
help ensure that small businesses, families, and emergency responders 
in every corner of South Dakota and across our country can once again 
rely upon connection of their incoming telephone calls.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in stopping this problem by 
cosponsoring the Public Safety and Economic Security Communications 
Act.
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