Dear Editor,
Like many people across our state, I care deeply about staying connected. Not connected to the latest app or smartphone — but connected to help when it matters most.
That’s why I support H.898, legislation that would require telecommunications companies to give Vermonters clear, advance notice before retiring copper-based landline service and shifting consumers to new technologies.
Vermont is one of the oldest states in the union, and for many older Vermonters, especially those living in rural communities, a traditional landline phone isn’t outdated technology. Landlines are how many people call a spouse, a neighbor, a caregiver or a doctor. It may be the only way to reach 911 in an emergency.
Many residents still rely on landlines because cell service can be unreliable or nonexistent, depending on where you live. And while fiber and other modern systems have benefits, consumers deserve to understand the risks before changes are made.
For example, many newer phone systems depend on electricity. When the power goes out, the phone may go out too — unless customers have battery backup or another plan in place. That’s a safety issue.
H.898 is about transparency and fairness. It includes basic, common-sense protections and would ensure that customers know ahead of time how their phone service may change: whether a replacement service is truly comparable in cost and reliability, whether their provider is still required to offer residential landline service and whether backup power options are available to keep phones working during outages. Importantly, these changes don’t block modernization or prevent companies from improving infrastructure.
As a volunteer with AARP Vermont and in my previous positions around the state, I’ve spoken with older Vermonters who are worried about losing their landline phone service. H.898 gives all Vermonters the information they need to stay safe and connected.
Lawmakers have an opportunity to make sure technological progress works for everyone — not just those with perfect cell coverage, the newest devices, or backup plans already in place.
When a phone line is a lifeline, advance notice isn’t a courtesy. It’s a necessity.
Beth Stern
Marshfield, Vt.
