Land Line Phone Deregulation on Track in Senate

A bill limiting the authority of the Florida Public Service Commission to regulate basic land line telephone service breezed through its first Senate committee Monday.

Under Senate Bill 1524, the PSC would no longer be able to regulate prices for land line phone services, but would still act as an arbiter for disputes between companies or wholesale service providers.

"Thisdeals with the deregulation of the last vestige of regulated phone service in the state of Florida," said Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, who is sponsoring the bill.

Supporters of the bill say it will allow Florida to keep up with neighboring states in the deregulation of communication utilities, be more attractive to businesses looking to relocate, and bring the state more in line with the 21st century communications and regulatory environment.

"People don't just talk anymore they have choice in how they communicate. Consumers are demanding services and products that match the way they live and work. Without regulatory reform, Florida will have rotary dial laws in a digital world," said Marshall Criser, president of AT&T in Florida.

Full story to follow.