Vermont committee reviews H.11 to add broadband consumer protections, including VoIP backup power

The House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Jan. 14 reviewed H.11, a bill that would create a new broadband-specific subchapter in chapter 63 of title 9 (the Vermont Consumer Protection Act) aimed at curbing unfair or deceptive broadband practices and protecting consumers.

Maria Royal of the Legislative Council told the committee the bill’s purpose is "to promote a thriving broadband market in Vermont, free of anti competitive, unfair, deceptive, or misleading practices in order to protect the public and to encourage fair and honest competition." She said the proposal covers a wide range of measures—from marketing and pricing transparency to targeted public-safety protections for users of voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Why it matters: Royal and committee members said the bill is intended to help Vermonters who have limited provider choices, to prevent providers from advertising services they cannot deliver at a particular location, and to improve state…