Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016

Bill 114 hr 2566, also known as the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016, aims to address the issue of poor call quality and reliability in rural areas of the United States. The bill recognizes that many rural communities have experienced dropped calls, poor audio quality, and other issues when making phone calls, which can have serious consequences for businesses, emergency services, and everyday communication.

The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish quality standards for voice call quality and reliability in rural areas. It also requires voice service providers to meet these standards and report on their compliance to the FCC. Additionally, the bill directs the FCC to establish a registry of intermediate providers that route voice calls in rural areas, in order to improve transparency and accountability in the call routing process.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to address the issue of "phantom traffic," which occurs when calls are incorrectly labeled as completed even though they have not actually connected. This can lead to missed calls and other communication problems in rural areas. The bill requires voice service providers to take steps to prevent phantom traffic and report any instances of it to the FCC. Overall, the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016 seeks to ensure that residents of rural areas have access to reliable and high-quality phone service, which is essential for economic development, public safety, and everyday communication. By establishing standards, increasing transparency, and addressing issues like phantom traffic, the bill aims to improve the overall call quality and reliability in rural communities across the country.