SENATE BILL 320

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Muñoz

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS; REQUIRING A MIDDLE MILE BROADBAND SERVICE OPERATING COMPANY TO MAINTAIN A REDUNDANT CABLE LINE; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 63 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] BROADBAND SERVICE LINES--REDUNDANCY REQUIRED--PENALTIES--DEFINITIONS.--

          A. A company that operates a middle mile cable line for broadband internet service providers or customers shall maintain a redundant cable line with the same capacity to transmit communications data as defined by the public regulation commission by rule.

          B. If a middle mile broadband internet service line is cut or broadband internet service through a cable line is otherwise disrupted and the service line operator does not have a redundant service line pursuant to Subsection A of this section, the operating company shall pay a fine to the public regulation commission in the amount of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) per hour of disrupted service over each mile of cable with disrupted service on a pro rata basis.

          C. For purposes of this section:

                (1) "backhaul network" means the intermediate links between a core network and small subnetworks;

                (2) "cable modem termination system" means equipment used to provide high speed data services, such as cable internet or voice over internet protocol, to cable subscribers;

                (3) "core network" means a central conduit designed to transfer large-scale data communications over long distances;

                (4) "local loop" means a physical link or circuit that connects the demarcation point of a customer's premises to a common carrier or telecommunications service provider's network; and

                (5) "middle mile" means the segment of a telecommunications network linking a network operator's core network to a local network plant that provides access to a backhaul network to the nearest data aggregation point, local cable modem termination system or a local loop or other parts of a network needed to connect a data aggregation point to the nearest point of presence on an operator's core network."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2023.

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