Attention Small Business Owners:
More and more, small businesses are relying on wireless, broadband, and Voice over Internet Protocol for their communications services. Unfortunately, California’s service quality standards have not kept pace. Many small businesses in California experience slow broadband speeds for what they pay, and they are frustrated with the quality and reliability of their communication services. At the same time, service providers are raking in so many millions of dollars in profits that current enforcement fines aren’t enough to motivate them to sufficiently improve their networks. This pattern must change.
Small business owners like you can help fuel that change by making their voices heard. Let the California Public Utilities Commission know that by updating service quality standards and enforcement mechanisms, it can help to ensure that all small businesses receive the baseline level of communications service quality they need to survive and thrive.
The California Public Utilities Commission has an ongoing proceeding called Order Instituting Rulemaking Proceeding to Consider Amendments to General Order 133 (Proceeding number R2203016) considering these issues. There are two ways you can share your thoughts with the Commission in this proceeding.
Public Participation HearingsThe first is by participating in their upcoming Public Participation Hearings (PPHs) on December 6 starting at 6pm and on December 9 starting at 1pm. The following is the information to access the PPHs: Telephone number to comment publicly and/or listen during the PPHs:1-800-857-1917
English Passcode: 1767567#
Spanish Passcode: 3799627#
Press *1 to inform the operator that you want to comment
Online formThe second is by submitting Public Comments directly on the California Public Utilities Commission’s website. Go to the California Public Utilities Commission’s website and follow the instructions on how to Submit Comments via Online Form (you’ll need to search for the proceeding using the proceeding number: R2203016):https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/about-cpuc/divisions/news-and-public-information-office/public-advisors-office/providing-public-comments-at-the-cpucYou’re welcome to
use this sample letter below for inspiration.
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SAMPLE LETTER
Dear California Public Utilities Commission,
My name is NAME and I am a small business owner. My business, BUSINESS NAME + BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS. [OPTIONAL: Add one brief sentence describing the specific essential business function VoIP, wireless, or broadband internet plays in your business.]
Small businesses like mine rely on high quality and reliable wireless, broadband, and Voice Over Internet Protocol service to survive.
[OPTIONAL PARAGRAPH – YOUR STORY: Include this paragraph if you’ve experienced low-quality and/or unreliable service] Unfortunately, that’s not always been my experience. INSERT YOUR EXPERIENCE(S). Even one experience like this can put small businesses like mine in jeopardy. ]
Currently, service providers can offer service that’s inferior to the service advertised and being paid for by their customers and that’s so substandard that it threatens the survival of small businesses—then pay the fines ordered by the Commission for doing so and continue to thrive financially. In other words, many providers lack the incentive needed to improve subpar service. This has to change. But it won’t without your leadership.
Collectively, small businesses are a major contributor to the California economy. But individually we are small and need sufficient regulatory oversight of service providers to ensure we receive the high quality, reliable services that we need to survive. So, please:
Update service quality standards and enforcement mechanisms to protect small business customers, improve service reliability, and ensure that all small businesses receive an adequate baseline level of communications service quality.
Thank you for accepting public comments on your website and for holding public participation hearings on this issue. If not for that, it’s likely that you may never have had the opportunity to hear the needs of small businesses like mine.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
