Source: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/october2014/proposed/18%20DE%20Reg%20296%2010-01-14.htm
Timestamp: 2019-02-17 09:21:19
Document Index: 600012187

Matched Legal Cases: ['§209', '§703', '§705', '§706', '§209', '§1133', '§209', '§10115', '§10115', '§209', '§502', '§10117']

4001 Rules for the Provision of Telecommunication Services (Docket Nos. 10 and 45)
4003 Regulations Governing the Minimum Service Requirements for the Provision of Telephone Service for Public Use within the State of Delaware (Docket No. 20)
TO:	ALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS, ALL
CONSUMERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS
In 2001, the Public Service Commission ("PSC") adopted “Rules for the Provision of Telecommunications Services” (“Telecom Rules”) to govern its regulatory oversight of telecommunications carriers operating within Delaware. Those Rules apply to all current telecommunications carriers.
By PSC Order No. 8618 (Aug. 19, 2014), the PSC now proposes to amend those Telecom Rules. The proposed changes are a result of new legislation (H.B.96) which was effective on July 15, 2013. This bill was enacted to reflect the competitive environment that now exists for telecommunications services. The legislation reduced the oversight of the PSC while it retained oversight of basic services.
The text of these proposed rules are attached to PSC Order No. 8618. That Order and the exhibits are reproduced in the October 2014 edition of the Delaware Register of Regulations. The Order and exhibits can also be reviewed on-line at the PSC’s website at www.state.de.us/delpsc. You can also obtain a paper copy of the Order at the PSC’s Dover office. Those paper copies will cost $0.25 per page.
You can file written comments, suggestions, briefs, compilations of data, or other materials concerning these proposed amendments to the Telecom Rules. Such material (10 copies or file online to our Delafile system) must be submitted to the Commission on or before Friday, November 7, 2014. Send the material to the Commission’s Dover office at the following address:
Attn: PSC Reg. Dckts. Nos. 10, 45 & 20
In addition, the PSC will conduct a public hearing on these proposed changes on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, beginning at 10:00 AM. The hearing will take place in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, Delaware. You can submit additional materials then.
ORDER NO. 8618
This 19th day of August, 2014, the Commission determines and Orders the following:
A.	BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
1.	Several years ago, this Commission adopted its “Rules For The Provision of Telecommunications Services” (“Regulation Docket Nos. 10 & 45 Rules”), which included not only criteria related to the initial certification of telecommunication companies to provide intrastate services but also explained how the Commission will supervise these telecommunication companies’ offerings and prices, and adopted its “Regulations Governing the Minimum Service Requirements For the Provision of Telephone Service for Public Use Within the State of Delaware (“Regulation Docket No. 20 Rules”).
2.	By this Order, the Commission now proposes to update these Rules in light of the passage of Delaware House Bill No. 96 which took effect on July 15, 2013. The legislative revisions to Title 26 of the Delaware Code reduces the oversight of telecommunications services. The proposed changes to these Rules are meant to even the playing field for both the telecommunications providers electing to be regulated pursuant to Subchapter VII-A of Title 26 of the Delaware Code and the telecommunications providers regulated under these Regulation Dockets.
B.	AUTHORITY FOR AMENDMENTS
3.	The Commission is generally empowered to promulgate regulations governing the operations of public utilities. See 26 Del.C. §209(a)(1). In addition, since 1992, the Commission has been authorized to adopt alternative forms of regulation for telecommunications carriers, including both de-tariffing and deregulation. See 26 Del.C. §703(3)(2004 Supp.).
C.	SUMMARY OF THE REVISIONS
4.	The proposed revisions to the Regulation Docket Nos. 10 & 45 Rules include deleting obsolete definitions, deleting rules in which the Commission no longer has authority and limits the certification requirements of new carriers, who want to provide telecommunications services in Delaware.
5.	The Regulation Docket No. 20 Rules are being eliminated in their entirety. According to 26 Del.C. §705, switched access services and local exchange telecommunication services to an individual residential customer who has no alternative telecommunication service provider available to her/him are basic services. All other services are competitive services. The Federal Communications Commission regulates the price, terms and conditions of switched access service for both intrastate and interstate. Pursuant to 26 Del.C. §706, competitive services can be added, revised, and abandoned without notification to the Commission. Also, it is highly unlikely that there are any residential customers in Delaware that have no alternative telecommunications service providers available to her/him. Therefore, Staff believes that the Regulation Docket No. 20 Rules are no longer necessary.
1.	That, pursuant to 26 Del.C. §§209 and 703(3), the Commission proposes to amend its “Rules for the Provision of Telecommunications Services” (Dockets 10 and 45) and eliminate “Regulations Governing the Minimum Service Requirements For the Provision of Telephone Service for Public Use Within the State of Delaware” (Docket 20). The proposed rules are set forth in Exhibit “A” to this Order and the redlined version of the existing rules are set forth in Exhibit “B”.
2.	That, pursuant to 29 Del.C. §§1133 & 10115, the Secretary shall transmit a copy of this Order, with the attached exhibits, to the Registrar of Regulations for publication in the Delaware Register of Regulations.
3.	That, pursuant to 26 Del.C. §209 and 29 Del.C. §10115(a)(2) & (b), the Secretary shall cause the form of public notice attached as Exhibit “C” to be published in two-column format, outlined in black, in the following two newspapers on the following dates:
The News Journal (August 26, 2014)
Delaware State News	(August 27, 2014)
The Secretary shall also ensure, pursuant to 29 Del.C. §10115, that a copy of such notice is sent to the Registrar of Regulations for its publication in the Register of Regulations. In addition, the Secretary shall mail a copy of this Order, with its exhibits, to the Division of the Public Advocate and to all persons or entities who have made written requests for advanced notice of this Commission’s rule-making proceedings. The Secretary shall file a certification of the completion of these tasks by September 15, 2014.
4.	That interested persons or entities may submit written suggestions, compilations of data, briefs, or other written materials concerning these proposed amendments on or before Friday, November 7, 2014. Pursuant to 26 Del.C. §209(a), the Commission, through its designated Hearing Examiner, will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, beginning at 10:00 AM in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, Delaware.
5.	That, pursuant to 26 Del.C. §502 and 29 Del.C. §10117, the Commission designates Hearing Examiner R. Campbell Hay to organize, classify, summarize, and make recommendations concerning the rule changes proposed by this Order in light of the submitted materials and public hearings. Hearing Examiner Hay is specifically authorized to conduct further hearings or direct submission of additional documents if deemed necessary or appropriate.
6.	The Commission reserves the jurisdiction and authority to enter such further orders in this matter as may be deemed necessary or proper by Order of the Commission.
Docket 10:	The Sale, Resale, and Other Provisions of Intrastate
Docket 45	:	Regulations For The Facilitation of Competitive Entry into the
Telecommunications Local Exchange Service Market
Effective: December 10, 2001
18 DE Reg. 296 (10/01/14) (Prop.)