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Committee advances bill easing carrier‑of‑last‑resort rules, aims to speed move from copper to modern broadband
Summary
Senate File 2224, intended to give providers a regulated 'off‑ramp' from copper wireline service where affordable VoIP alternatives exist, passed the Commerce committee after testimony from Lumen, Minnesota Telecom Alliance, and the Department of Commerce raising consumer‑protection and mapping concerns.
Senator Nick Rasmussen moved Senate File 2224 as amended and the Minnesota Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee voted to recommend the bill for referral to the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee on March 20, 2025.
Rasmussen told the committee the bill reforms the carrier of last resort obligation by allowing incumbent providers to be relieved of the duty to maintain copper-based service only when specific criteria are met. Those criteria include FCC broadband maps showing an internet alternative at a household’s location, granular location-fabric data, consumer notice and multiple communications from providers, affordability…
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