In today's telecom market, a successful business must make its presence known to consumers and prospective consumers and that means having a substantial presence on the Internet.  Keeping your customers aware and at ease could make a significant impact on your credibility.  An effective business website provides information and assurances for its visitors.  Consumers want to be informed not only about your products and services, but also about your company policies, practices and compliance with state and federal regulations.  Having such content at their fingertips puts your customers at ease and gives them peace of mind.  

The marketing and design of a website maybe a telecom provider's first thought, but it is also imperative to keep your visitors informed and reassured by including regulatory compliance and company-wide policy disclosures.  Today's consumer is more savvy and can be easily put off by websites that are vague, bare bones, or lacking in content they know is required by state and federal authorities - such things as privacy policies indicating how the company will handle proprietary information or Red Flag requirements that will require operators to implement identity theft detection measures.  JSI can conduct an extensive review of your website to ensure that it is up to date with regulatory compliance and company practices and policies, such as CALEA, Red Flag requirements, network management, privacy, and security policies.  JSI will also recommend additions or modifications and identify and develop appropriate policies for privacy and security, identity theft detection, network management, and other disclosures or notifications for your site.

Network Management

While the "net neutrality" debate rages on and even as other stirrings at the FCC heat up, the regulation of the Internet and calls for transparency in network management remain in the public eye.  For telecom providers, the management of a business website is the first, simplest, and most affordable way to maintain reasonable consistency with regulators' and policymakers' Internet expectations and objectives.  JSI will help you create and properly disclose network management policies on your website.  Even though the FCC has yet to make its final steps toward assuming authority to regulate the Internet directly, the recent Comcast decision and the network management disclosure requirements under the broadband stimulus proceeding illustrate the move toward more direct Internet regulation. 

Thus, telecom providers would be wise to preemptively establish and publicly disclose their network management policies.  Maintaining such disclosures on your website is simple and inexpensive, and demonstrates your company's desire to be in accordance with the FCC's Internet objectives.  It also puts your consumers on notice, keeping them informed of your company's practices while protecting and maintaining your credibility.

Privacy and Security

Also subject to recent regulatory scrutiny are privacy and security.  Generally, companies are required to have reasonable data security policies and procedures in place, as well as notification procedures if a data security breach affects your customers.  These policies should be disclosed on your website.  At the same time, companies must be sure that policies are carefully crafted and that they are providing the privacy and security measures as promised.  Recent FTC enforcement actions should serve as a reminder that your company must be careful about crafting privacy policies and ensuring that you are following the policies you've posted.  JSI can create privacy and security policies, and help you produce an effective website that can withstand scrutiny and regulatory trends with up-to-date compliance items and required disclosures. 

To learn more about our website review service, or for additional information, contact Terri Parrilla, at 318-742-8708, or tparrilla@jsitel.com.