Veterans’ Telecommunication Protection Act
The Veterans’ Telecommunication Protection Act would add a new rule to the Communications Act requiring providers that offer cable service and certain voice services to charge veterans' organizations the same residential rates that would apply to a individual or household at the organization’s primary property, but only if that residential rate is lower than what the organization would otherwise pay. In practical terms, eligible veterans' organizations could receive discounted (residential) pricing for cable and landline-like services delivered to their main location, rather than the higher commercial or organizational rates the provider would normally charge. The measure defines what counts as a “covered service” and who qualifies as a “veterans’ organization,” and it specifies that the rule takes effect for services provided on or after enactment.
Key Points
- 1New rule added to the Communications Act (Sec. 723) requiring residential-rate pricing for veterans' organizations for covered services at their primary property, if the residential rate is lower than the organization’s current rate.
- 2Covered services include cable service and non-mobile voice service (excluding commercial mobile service).
- 3A “veterans’ organization” is any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C. § 5902.
- 4The residential-rate charge is the rate that would apply to an individual or household at the property if the organization were treated like a private resident.
- 5Effective date: the provision applies to covered services provided on or after the date of enactment.