Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017

Bill 115 s 96, also known as the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017, 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 sound 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 where rural consumers can report call quality issues, which will help the FCC identify problem areas and take action to improve service.

Furthermore, the bill requires voice service providers to notify rural consumers of any changes to their service that could affect call quality, and to provide them with information on how to report call quality issues. The bill also includes provisions to ensure that rural carriers are compensated fairly for delivering calls to rural areas, which will help incentivize providers to improve service in these areas. Overall, the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 aims to address the longstanding issue of poor call quality and reliability in rural areas, and to ensure that all Americans have access to reliable communication services, regardless of where they live.