JACKSON— The Mississippi Public Service Commission conducted the July monthly docket meeting telephonically Tuesday to discuss pending matters on the docket.
One of the agenda items included the Commission voting to establish the “Connect Mississippi Committee” to expand on the efforts of strengthening broadband services in Mississippi. Members of the committee will be appointed by the PSC Commissioners.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of us living in rural areas, mostly outside city limits, have faced significant challenges due to the lack of high-speed internet service while trying to work, seek medical attention or participate in distance learning from home,” Commissioner Brent Bailey said. “I am confident the collaborative efforts of the new Committee members will help advance and improve internet service offerings across the state of Mississippi.”
Another matter taken up by the Commission included a vote to pass an Order enabling the Commission’s assistance and support to the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff in the administration of the Mississippi Cooperatives Broadband COVID-19 Act. The Act was created by the Legislature during the 2020 Regular Session. The Act makes grants available from the CARES Act to distribute to electric cooperatives and broadband providers with the goal of escalating our broadband services to assist with distance learning, telemedicine and telework.
Furthermore, in cooperation with the Attorney General’s Office, six companies have been ordered to appear at the September 2020 docket meeting for failing to answer subpoenas for alleged violations of the Mississippi Telephone Solicitation Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 77-3-701, et seq. The six companies include Global Communications, Inc., Veracity Networks, LLC, Nobelbiz Inc., Perfect Pitch Technology, LLC, Intelligent Contacts, Inc., and Brightlink Communications.
“We appreciate the ongoing work of our Special Assistant Attorney General Megan Bennett on these cases,” Commissioner Bailey said. “Failure to answer to the subpoenas hinders the investigations, and the Commission and the Attorney General’s Office will continue taking actions to ensure the protection of Mississippi consumers through the resolution of these
