Ohio PUC Updates ILEC Copper Abandonment Rules
Taking on IP transition issues, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) voted 4-0 Wednesday to approve several changes to its rules, including a new process for ILECs seeking to withdraw or abandon basic local exchange service (BLES). The PUCO…
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order in docket 14-1554-TP-ORD implemented section 749.10 from Ohio’s FY2016 and FY2017 budget legislation (HB-64), which set up a collaborative process whereby ILECs, CLECs, cable operators and the Ohio Consumers' Counsel identify what alternatives are available to BLES customers, including wireline and wireless alternatives. The rule changes aren’t final; under the Ohio process, intervenors have 30 days to apply for rehearing, then PUCO submits final rules to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. Under the PUCO rule changes, an ILEC must provide at least 120 days' advance notice to affected customers when withdrawing basic service. If a residential customer receiving notice can't obtain reasonable and competitively priced voice service, the customer may file a petition within 30 days of receiving the notice. If no residential customers file a petition or are identified as having no alternatives in the collaborative process set by the statute, the ILEC's notice to withdraw will be deemed to have satisfied state requirements. If no alternatives exist, the ILEC requesting withdrawal must provide a reasonable and competitively priced voice service, via any technology, for at least 12 months and for as long as there is no alternative provider.