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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSenate approves 911 fees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state Senate on Friday afternoon voted 41-7 in favor of a bill that would increase requirements for the collection of 9-1-1 fees on phone services. For some customers, this will create a new monthly charge.
Senators approved an amended version of House Bill 394, which was then sent back to the House for final passage.
The bill would, among other things, increase the number of phone service providers who are required to collect surcharges for 9-1-1. Such fees are used to pay for 9-1-1 systems.
The bill is meant to make sure all providers levy and collect surcharges.
The requirement already exists for landline calls and many wireless calls. The bill would broaden the definition of telephone service to include calls made via prepaid wireless plans and for Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, calls.
Cable giant Comcast provides phone service using VoIP technology. However, spokesman Reg Griffin said the company already collects 9-1-1 fees from its customers and sends the money to the state.
Nancy Horne, president of the Cable Television Association of Georgia, said House Bill 394 would assure all providers collect and remit monthly 9-1-1 fees. “We have no problems with the bill,” she said.
AT&T’s wireless unit, which is based in Atlanta, also approves of the bill. The company currently collects 9-1-1 fees for most of its cellphone customers, but not for those who use prepaid plans.
Steve Skinner, director of external affairs for AT&T’s wireless operations, said prepaid plans account for a small portion of AT&T’s wireless users. The bulk of AT&T users have postpaid accounts, which means they pay their bills monthly after making calls.
The bill caps monthly 9-1-1 fees at $1.50. Actual charges are sometimes less that, depending on what the local county or city authorizes.
Sonji Jacobs contributed to this report
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