Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has recently proposed a bill that aims to offer financial relief to consumers affected by internet service outages. The proposed “Internet Service Outage Consumer Protection Act” mandates internet service providers (ISPs) to provide prorated bill credits to their customers in case of service disruptions lasting more than an hour. With this bill, consumers can hope for fair compensation in the event of prolonged internet service outages.
“In today’s digital age, reliable internet service is not just a convenience, but a necessity,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “When service is disrupted, it can have serious consequences for individuals, families, and businesses. This bill ensures that consumers are fairly compensated for the time they are without the service they rely on.”
The bill contains several key provisions that are worth mentioning.
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- Prorated Bill Credits: ISPs must provide automatic prorated bill credits for any internet service outage lasting more than one hour, calculated based on the consumer’s monthly service rate.
- Automatic Application: Credits will be applied automatically to the consumer’s next billing cycle, without the need for the consumer to take any action.
- Notification Requirement: Providers must notify consumers of the outage and the applied credit within 24 hours of service restoration.
- Record Keeping: ISPs must maintain records of all outages and corresponding bill credits for a minimum of three years, available for review by the Public Service Commission.
- Consumer Rights Notification: Consumers will be informed of their right to receive prorated credits at the time-of-service agreement and on each monthly billing statement.
“With this legislation, we are holding ISPs accountable and ensuring they deliver the reliable service that consumers pay for,” added Santabarbara. “It’s a simple matter of fairness and transparency.”
According to Santabarbara, the bill was proposed in response to mounting grievances from customers who have been experiencing frequent and prolonged internet outages without receiving sufficient compensation from their service providers. He stressed that this legislation is a crucial component of a larger initiative aimed at strengthening consumer safeguards and elevating service standards throughout the state of New York.
“Utilities must bill in a timely and transparent manner,” Santabarbara concluded. “This bill will ensure that internet service providers meet that standard, providing peace of mind to all New Yorkers who depend on their internet service every day.
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