CPUC: Pro-Consumer Means Pro-Investment. Get It Right.
Californians benefit from affordable, reliable wireless every day. They don’t want new service quality regulations to put that at risk. Hear directly from those who have spoken up.
Public Comments
Sunder Ramani.
Owner of Westwind Media in Burbank, says California’s entertainment industry depends on the wireless access providers have built out, including in underserved production areas. He urges the Commission not to slow the infrastructure investment networks need.
Public Comment.
“My name is Sunder Ramani. I am the owner of Westwind Media based here in Burbank. Quite candidly and bluntly, our company, and California’s burgeoning entertainment industry for that matter, could not have survived, would not have survived, without the access to mobile we have today.
Wireless providers have invested heavily in building out networks, including in rural and historically underserved communities. Many film and television production sites are in those areas, and they have been able to maintain quality connections thanks to those investments.
New regulations would stop or slow wireless companies from investing in the infrastructure that is crucial to supporting current and future networks that carry the traffic. Our data demand only continues to grow as smart technology is increasingly part of everyday life. It often feels like the PUC is focused on penalties for customer service and outages. That kind of top-down decision making doesn’t reflect how investment actually gets made. That won’t get wireless networks built, but I would bet it would increase my bill.
Allow commerce to happen, please, and encourage providers to invest in future proofing our vast state. We need it to compete globally.
Thank you again for your service.”
Jenni Kiser.
Business owner and member of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, knows firsthand rural California benefits from a working wireless communication system.
Public Comment.
“My name is Jenni Kiser. And I’m currently the owner of a gym and health facility based in rural Mariposa, California, near our historic Yosemite Valley. I also happen to serve as a member of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, a position I’ve been proud to hold since 2024.”
We have a wireless system that actually works quite well. And that’s exactly why the changes that the CPUC is considering worry me. Wireless service today is already affordable for small businesses and families like mine, especially in remote quarters of our state, without a single new rule from the Commission. 33 of the 58 counties in California are considered rural. New regulations risk slowing down the very investment that’s brought rural counties, like Mariposa, this far at exactly the time we need providers building here, not pulling back.
We rely each day on a system that allows us to connect with suppliers, customers, and the communities to help us keep our lights on, people employed, and our local areas thriving. So with my elected official hat on, a wireless communication system that works well is also important to rural residents and communities, like Mariposa. We have that now.
It wasn’t too long ago that we experienced the horrific fires that nearly decimated Yosemite and, in fact, did create horrible devastation to properties, wildlife, and sadly many people’s own lives. Had it not been for our unobstructed, clear, and effective wireless system that allowed our fire and public safety professionals to communicate with each other, residents, business owners, and other providers and professionals inside and outside of our region, the wake of destruction would have been much, much worse. It helps small businesses and families to thrive, communities to communicate, first responders and leaders to make smart snap decisions in realtime. We do not need to reverse course with what is helping so many in keeping us moving forward. I appreciate the opportunity to speak today.”
Kelly McDonald.
Mother of a nine-year-old has felt the relief of paying less for her cellphone while getting more with her service.
Public Comment.
“My name is Kelly McDonald. And I’m a mother of a 9-year-old in the Sacramento area. And I just wanted to kind of talk about, like, how important mobile and Internet services are and how they have allowed me to keep my family healthy and be able to use telemedicine.
So, as every parent, we kind of have a household budget. We need services to stay affordable. And I just worry that new regulations are going to change that for families. And we actually pay now less for cell phones than we used to. And I’m able to do more than I used to, as far as services.
The biggest thing for me is to be able to talk to my son’s doctor over the phone, whether through the app or do any, like, video calls. And when we have any medical issues, I’m able to call in and talk to the doctor a lot quicker. And that avoids us from having to go to the hospital and be exposed to germs or sitting and waiting for hours. And so, there’s just the fear of being in the hospital and things like that. And that’s really important to me, to be able to utilize, like, our mobile Internet and our phones for that service – and without any interferences from the utility Commission.
And I think all families need that, to be able to care for a loved one. And I don’t want anybody interfering with our cell services and to risk raising rates, like we’ve done with electric bills. I mean, everybody acknowledges things are getting more and more expensive these days. And this is just one more thing that everyday families can’t afford.
So, thank you again for your time. And I appreciate it.”
Tammy Boone.
Small business owner who provides federally required compliance drug and alcohol testing, knows that in her work, timing can be of the essence. That’s why she values the flexibility to choose an affordable and accessible wireless service that works best for her.
Public Comment.
“My name is Tammy Boone. I’m located in rural Northern California community of Redding. My company offers services nationally from Northern California.
For the past 32 years I’ve owned and operated a small business that provides federal-government-required compliance drug and alcohol testing for other small business owners. In short, we help our clients navigate complex industry regulations to make sure they’re fully compliant, functional, and effective.
To be effective in our efforts, we rely on wireless technology every single day to communicate easily and in real time with our clients who need quality information and/or services, especially in events such as a vehicle accident to be compliant.
We enjoy the flexibility to choose and use a carrier that ensures our 5G communication is both affordable and accessible. It’s critical that we’re able to communicate and report results from our services to our employer clients timely so they’re able to make the best and most informed decision to hire and retain a quality workforce.
There’s little to no margin for delay or error in the information shared here – is central to that smooth and speedy two-way information flow for us. The last thing we want to see is unintended consequences of government rules that will serve as a barrier that block instead of paving the way of vital data sharing, especially in remote locations such as ours here in Redding.
Thank you for doing what you can as commissioners to consider keeping the vital business tool. Adding more unnecessary burdensome rules will not only thwart our ability to help Main Street employers, their employees, and communities across the Golden State, it will drive costs up for our clients who currently depend on cost-effective electronic data.”
Cessiley Gale.
Therapist who provides in-person and telehealth services because of reliable wireless connectivity. Continued network investment and ample choices have helped make it possible for her clients to also determine which service is best for them.
Public Comment.
“My name is Cessiley Gale, and I live in Elk Grove, California. I am a marriage and family therapist and provide both in-person and telehealth services. Having the ability to chose a plan, service, and network that works the best in my area and within my budget is key to deciding which carrier to have, and I have ample choices.
Giving my clients the options of in-person or telehealth services is important to determining their health care plan. Ensuring that I have reliable communication, connection for communication, is only one aspect, but with an ever-expanding library of health and wellness and technology applications, more people are taking advantage to track health, sleep, fitness, and medication analogs.
Without additional investment in our networks, the increased demand for data for these types of devices as we use today and the use of cases tomorrow cannot be supported. The PUC’s regulations can harm the current networks we have or that we know work.
I am confident in my wireless communications that work and appreciate the ability I have to choose the best option for my budget and connection needs in order to provide the best service to my clients’ needs.
Don’t push for unneeded service quality regulations that may only raise my bill like what the Commission has done with electricity rates. Thank you for your time.”
Matt Kiolbassa.
President of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, represents more than 100 small business owners and relies on 5G wireless infrastructure to help mom-and-pop owners connect with their communities.
Public Comment.
“My name is Matt Kiolbassa, and I’m the owner of MTE Logic, a managed IT services provider located in the rural community of Sonora, California.
I’m also proud to serve as the current president of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, representing more than 100 other small and independent business owners.
My business was built to help connect other small to midsize businesses in California’s Mother Lode and Central Valley to the world with voice, audio, security, support, and service.
We rely on 5G wireless infrastructure to help ensure other mom-and-pop owners and residents can speak, text, and communicate with each other in real time. I know the Commission is concerned about service across the state, and I want to say that even in my rural area, my wireless connection does everything I need it to.
We don’t run into hiccups or roadblocks. My connection always works. In communities like ours, that communication is important for helping Main Street operators communicate – and marketing to customers and partners to keep them afloat. That’s why I’d like to ask the Commission not to impose new regulations on a service that’s already working.
Thank you for your time.”
Nicole Redler.
A small business owner and board member of Compassionate Veterans, runs peer-to-peer video support groups for veterans with PTSD. Many participants rely on mobile service rather than home WiFi to join – for them, the connection is not just convenient, it’s a lifeline.
Public Comment.
“My name is Nicole Redler. I am a small business owner and a board member of a nonprofit called Compassionate Veterans. I work with veterans and other people living with post-traumatic stress disorder. Our company helps brands and businesses create social impact programs and provide resources for the men and women who have served our country.
Reliable wireless service is an essential for our day-to-day work. Additionally, three times a week, we host peer-to-peer video support groups for disabled veterans. Many participants lack stable Wi-Fi and depend on mobile services to join. For someone managing PTSD, that connection can be more of a convenience. It can really be a lifeline to the community and support they need.
I support reliable wireless services standards, but I urge the Commission to adopt rules that reflect how wireless networks operate and preserve investment in expanding and improving them.
For the veterans, families, businesses. And communities that depend on wireless connectivity, we need both accountability and continued investment. I respectfully ask the Commission to pursue both.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.”