Senate Bill 556 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to broadband-enabled services. The bill redefines "broadband internet access service" to align with federal definitions and specifies that certain intrastate services, which were tariffed as of May 15, 2006, cannot be reclassified or altered to evade inspection fees imposed by the public utility commission. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the definitions of "interconnected VoIP service" will also adhere to federal law.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that state entities, including the public utility commission, cannot enact regulations that would control the entry, rates, or conditions of broadband internet access or interconnected VoIP services, effectively treating these services as carriers. It also removes a specific subsection from the Tennessee Code that may have previously imposed restrictions on these services. The act is set to take effect immediately upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of broadband access and regulation in Tennessee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 65-5-202(a), 65-5-202, 65-5-202(b), 65-5-203, 65-5-109(q), 65-5-109