Whereas, the availability of analog cellular telephone service is critical to individuals and businesses in those areas of the State where adequate digital cellular telephone service is not yet available; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §8903 is enacted to read:

§8903.__Analog cellular service requirements

A provider of mobile telecommunications services shall allow a new subscriber who owns an analog cellular telephone to use that analog cellular telephone for mobile telecommunications services with the provider until there is adequate digital cellular service coverage throughout the State.__The Office of the Public Advocate shall evaluate the adequacy of digital cellular service coverage throughout the State and report its findings to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over telecommunications matters annually beginning January 30, 2007.__Based on a review of the report, the committee shall make a determination regarding the adequacy of digital cellular service coverage throughout the State and may report out legislation to amend or repeal this section accordingly.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a provider of mobile telecommunications services to allow new subscribers to use analog phones until there is adequate digital cellular telephone coverage throughout the State. The bill directs the Office of the Public Advocate to evaluate the adequacy of digital service and report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over telecommunications matters. The bill requires the committee to review the annual report and make a