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HR 3444 102th Congress House

Telephone Network Reliability Act of 1991

Official title: To require the Federal Communications Commission to implement and enforce network reliability and quality standards on telephone common carriers, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 1, 1991 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Computer networksEmergency communication systemsFederal advisory bodiesGovernment paperwork
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Regulatory impact statementsStandardsTelecommunication industryTelephone
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 15, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Oct 1, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 1, 1991
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 15, 1991

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Telephone Network Reliability Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to: (1) establish such network reliability and quality standards for common carriers as are necessary to ensure the reliable delivery of basic telephone service; and (2) continue the development and deployment of advanced network features.

Specifies that such standards shall establish: (1) a quantitative scale for measuring the impact of service outages on customers affected, the capacity of the network to continue provision of services through redundant facilities, and the impact of the outage on emergency communications services; (2) requirements for common carriers to notify the FCC immediately and effectively of significant outages; and (3) procedures for the evaluation of each outage on the basis of such quantitative standards, and for improving communication among common carriers concerning the occurrence of, reason for, and techniques and devices to prevent, such outages.

Directs the FCC, in prescribing any regulation or issuing any order under such Act, to: (1) evaluate the impact of such regulation or order on network reliability and quality; and (2) include in the record of any proceeding to presribe such regulation or issue such order a statement of the results of such evaluation.

Requires the FCC to establish one or more advisory committees to recommend appropriate steps, for both government and industry, to assure the reliability and quality of the telephone network. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) the composition of such committees; and (2) reporting requirements.

Directs the FCC to conduct a study on the role of the FCC in ensuring network reliability. Sets forth reporting requirements.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3444: Telephone Network Reliability Act of 1991. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-3444/
MLA
"H.R. 3444: Telephone Network Reliability Act of 1991." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-3444/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3444, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-3444/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3444: Telephone Network Reliability Act of 1991](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-3444/)
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