NEW YORK COMMISSION CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES: REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM LIKELY TO OCCUR FOLLOWING WIDE-RANGING STUDY
The New York Public Service Commission is undertaking a comprehensive examination of
communications in New York, which will culminate early next year in a report to the Governor and
Legislature. The proceeding will examine data relating to all types of communications services – voice,
video and broadband – and encompass both wireless and wireline providers. Significant regulatory
and/or legislative action may result, as the Governor, Legislature and Commission consider updates to
the statutory and regulatory framework in New York.
As part of the study the PSC will be gathering input from all stakeholders through public
comments and technical conferences. Commission counsel recently moderated and participated in a
CLE panel on this topic, in which one of our attorneys (a former Session Counsel to the NYPSC
Chairman) also participated. The Commission is also issuing information requests to communications
providers seeking data relating to a wide-ranging set of topics, including the following
• State of competition of voice, video and broadband services;
• Architecture, coverage and interdependencies of communications networks;
• Transition of services from traditional telephone networks to wireless and IP;
• Financial health of the telecommunications industry;
• Exploration of challenges to maintaining service quality, reliability, affordability, accessibility and consumer protections as networks transform;
• Examination of the reliability and resiliency of telecommunications networks and oversight necessary to meet current and future expectations for public safety, and
• Review of the regulatory structure in New York and assessment of national and international regulatory approaches.
This proceeding represents a valuable opportunity for all service providers to work with regulators as they review telecom policy – and to influence the direction of the legal and regulatory framework going forward. It is of critical importance to recognize and account for the ultimate objectives for this proceeding, in all phases of participation. We look forward to providing assistance and counsel with regard to these important matters.
ANDY KLEIN 202-289-6955 AKLEIN@KLEINLAWPLLC.COM
PHILIP MACRES 202-289-6956 PMACRES@KLEINLAWPLLC.COM
ALLEN ZORACKI 518-336-4300 AZORACKI@KLEINLAWPLLC.COM
MICHAEL GUSSOW 202-289-6966 MGUSSOW@KLEINLAWPLLC.COM