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N.Y. Senate Panel Clears Cable Refund, Mobile Map Bills

Cable customers could seek a prorated refund in New York state if their service was disconnected or downgraded, under a bill cleared unanimously Monday by the legislature’s Senate Telecom Committee. The panel voted unanimously at the webcast hearing to send S-493 by Sen. Leroy Comrie (D) to the floor. Also, the panel cleared a bill that would require the New York Public Service Commission to map mobile coverage and reliability across the state and then make a plan to ensure reliable coverage statewide. No committee member voted against advancing S-6318, though Sen. Thomas O’Mara (R) voted aye without recommendation. Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D) sponsored the bill, which will go next to the Finance Committee. “There are three main cell service providers and the only known coverage maps are created by them,” said the bill’s purpose statement. “Through lived experience, we know these maps to be inadequate.”