News - June 6, 2019

INCOMPAS Expresses Support for Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 6, 2019) – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Angus King (I-ME) are introducing the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, which is designed to address predatory inmate calling rates at prison facilities across the nation.

Their bill will give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) full authority to ensure consumers receive reasonable rates for both intra- and interstate inmate calls. The legislation also extends this standard to all forms of communication, such as video services, to reflect today’s technological advances.

INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, released the following statement in response, from CEO Chip Pickering:

“We applaud the leadership of Senators Duckworth, Portman, Schatz, Booker, Markey, and King to bring a bipartisan solution to this long-standing issue. The lack of competition in prison telecommunications services has plagued U.S. families for decades.

“No American should be forced to pay the exorbitant rate of $400 or $500 a month for a calling service. INCOMPAS is glad to support this legislation to give the FCC full authority to bring some much-needed relief to prison call rates.”


About INCOMPAS
INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, is the leading trade group advocating for competition policy across all networks. INCOMPAS represents Internet, streaming, communications and technology companies large and small, advocating for laws and policies that promote competition, innovation and economic development. Learn more at www.incompas.org or follow us on Twitter: @INCOMPAS @ChipPickering