Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Monday that he supports the Federal Communication Commission’s new rules to combat call completion problems that largely affect rural parts of the country.
“This is a welcome action for rural consumers and rural economies,” Thune said. “The Federal Communication Commission should build on today’s action, using new data to take swift and meaningful enforcement actions against those entities that are harming rural Americans by not completing telephone calls.”
Failed calls have the potential to be life threatening, costly and frustrating, according to the FCC.
“Rural businesses have reported losing customers who couldn’t call in order, while families attempting to contact elderly relatives have worried when they hear a ring, but no one picks up on the other end because the call never actually went through,” the FCC said.
Providers will be required to report quarterly call data to the FCC, as well as discontinue the use of false ring tones when a call is not connected.
In July, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a resolution asking the FCC to pursue phone companies that violate FCC rules. The resolution awaits full Senate approval.
Thune was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and the Senate in 2004.