HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – It’s hard to believe in this day and age of technology that in some rural areas of Michigan and across the country that cell phones do not work. Often times there is not even a signal or calls get cut off.
The Energy and Commerce subcommittee is kicking off a debate tonight in Washington on a bipartisan bill to improve rural call service.
The subcommittee on Communications and Technology is looking to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure the integrity of voice communications and to prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among areas of the U.S. in the delivery of such communications.
St. Joseph Congressman Fred Upton says it’s time we set higher standards for the integrity of our networks..and for the benefit or our constituents. “You might be on the phone and all of a sudden it goes out. We’re trying to work with the FCC and different providers. It’s technology that people expect to have.”
Upton went on to say that his phone recently went out while he was on it working on 21st Century Cures. “On my way down to Buchanan, Michigan, all of a sudden the phone went out, but I was able to reconnect. We need that technology in place for the whole country. It’s one of the things that our committee is going to continue to focus on to make sure we’ve got those services available for everyone despite if they live in a rural area.”
The subcommittee will then reconvene Wednesday morning for votes.
