reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.01 - Scope and purpose

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) PURPOSE. Chapter
			 PSC 160 is designed to effectuate
			 and implement s. 196.218, Stats.,
			 47 USC 254, 47
			 CFR 54 and parts of other sections of the Wisconsin and federal statutes,
			 authorizing the commission to establish and operate a universal service fund
			 and programs to further the goal of providing a basic set of essential
			 telecommunications services to all customers in the state.
(2) SCOPE AND EXCEPTION.
(a) The requirements of ch. PSC 160 shall be
			 observed by the telecommunications providers subject to the jurisdiction of the
			 commission as indicated in this chapter, except insofar as any exemption may be
			 made by the commission. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, s.
			 196.218,
			 Stats., and the requirements of this chapter apply to telecommunications
			 providers certified under s.
			 196.203(2),
			 Stats.
(b) Nothing in this chapter
			 shall preclude the commission from giving special and individual consideration
			 to exceptional or unusual situations and, upon due investigation of the facts
			 and circumstances involved, from adopting requirements as to individual
			 providers or programs that may be lesser, greater, other or different than
			 those provided in this chapter.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.03 - Essential telecommunications services

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)For purposes of
			 this subsection:
(a) " 911" means a service
			 that permits a telecommunications user to use the three-digit code `911,' to
			 access emergency services through a public safety answering point operated by a
			 local government.
(b) "Directory
			 assistance" means a service that includes making available to customers, upon
			 request, information contained in directory listings, such as customer address
			 and telephone number.
(c) "Dual
			 tone multi-frequency" means a method of signaling that facilitates the
			 transportation of signaling through the network, shortening call set-up time.
Note:
This is commonly known as touch tone.
(d) "Emergency services" includes
			 services, such as 911 and enhanced 911, provided by local governments or other
			 public safety organizations.
(e)
			 "Enhanced 911" means 911 service that includes the ability to provide automatic
			 numbering information, which enables the public safety answering point to call
			 back if the call is disconnected, and automatic location information, which
			 permits emergency service providers to identify the geographic location of the
			 calling party.
(f) "Interexchange
			 service" means the use of the loop, as well as that portion of the switch that
			 is paid for by the end user, or the functional equivalent of these network
			 elements in the case of a wireless provider, necessary to access an
			 interexchange provider's network.
(g) "Local usage" means an amount of exchange
			 service, prescribed by the commission, provided free of charge to end
			 users.
(h) "Operator services"
			 means any automatic or live assistance to a customer to arrange for billing or
			 completion, or both, of a telephone call.
(i) "Single-party service" means
			 telecommunications service that permits users to have exclusive use of a
			 landline subscriber loop or access line for each call placed, or, in the case
			 of wireless providers, which use spectrum shared among users to provide
			 service, a dedicated message path for the length of a user's particular
			 transmission.
(j) "Voice grade
			 access" means a functionality that enables a user of telecommunications
			 services to transmit voice communications, including signaling the network that
			 the caller wishes to place a call, and to receive voice communications,
			 including receiving a signal indicating there is an incoming call.
Note:
The definitions in sub. (1) do not have any
				application. The Public Service Commission will remove sub. (1) in future
				rule-making.
(1m)Each eligible
			 telecommunications carrier shall make all essential telecommunications services
			 available to all of its customers.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.04 - Call limitation

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) CALL LIMITATION OBLIGATIONS.
(a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c),
			 every local exchange service provider in the state shall offer call limitation
			 capability for each of the following:
1. Long
			 distance toll calls.
2.
			 Pay-per-call service.
3. Collect
			 toll calls.
4. Toll calls charged
			 to a telephone credit card associated with the telephone number for which call
			 limitation has been requested.
5.
			 Toll calls charged to a third telephone number for which call limitation has
			 been requested.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.05 - Universal service fund programs

Current through June 24, 2024
Universal service fund monies may be used for fund
				administration; for informing the public of the existence, purpose, intent, and
				uses of the universal service fund; and for the following purposes:
(1) For the following programs as adopted by
			 the commission under the appropriation in s.
			 20.155(1) (q) and
			 (3), Stats.:
(a) Link-up assistance, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.061.
(b) Lifeline assistance, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.062.
(c) Telephone access service for the
			 homeless, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.125(1).
(d) Telecommunications equipment purchase
			 program (TEPP) vouchers, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.071(1m).
(e) Telecommunications customer assistance
			 program, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.08.
(f) High rate assistance credits, as
			 specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.09.
(g) Alternative universal service protection
			 plans, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.092.
(k) Funding for programs or projects approved
			 under s.
			 PSC
			 160.125(2).
(m) Outreach for low-income assistance
			 programs, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.063.
(n) Eligible telecommunications carriers
			 designated by a process under s.
			 PSC
			 160.13(8) (c).
(p) Second line for 2 line voice or hearing
			 carryover, as specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.071(6m).
(q) Medical telecommunications equipment
			 program, as specified in s.
			 196.218(4u),
			 Stats.
(s) Directory assistance,
			 operator assistance and custom calling service payments under s.
			 PSC
			 160.071(4) to (6).
(t) Broadband expansion grants under s.
			 196.504,
			 Stats.
(u) Other programs
			 consistent with the purposes identified in s.
			 196.218(5) (a)
			 1, Stats., as they are approved by the
			 commission on an interim basis.
Note:
The text of s.
				196.218(5) (a)
				1, Stats., appears in a note after s.
				PSC
				160.125(2)
				(a).
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.06 - Eligibility for low-income programs

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) LOW-INCOME
			 ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY.
(a) All ETCs shall
			 verify an applicant's eligibility for low-income assistance programs by making
			 timely queries of the applicable databases of the Wisconsin department of
			 health services, the Wisconsin department of revenue, or other government
			 agencies designated by the commission. An ETC shall verify an applicant's
			 eligibility by finding the applicant to be any of the following:
1. An active client of at least one of the
			 programs listed in s.
			 PSC
			 160.02(21) (a).
2. A member of the active client's household
			 whose low income qualifies the client for benefits under at least one of the
			 programs listed in s.
			 PSC
			 160.02(21) (a).
3. At an income level that meets the
			 conditions in s.
			 PSC
			 160.02(21) (b).
4. At an income level that meets the
			 conditions of any other federal low-income eligibility criteria.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.062 - Lifeline program

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) DEFINITIONS.
(a) For purposes of subs. (2) to (7),
			 "eligible telecommunications carrier" or "ETC" means only full and low-income
			 ETCs, and does not include federal-only ETCs.
(b) For purposes of this section, "line"
			 means an access line, service to an activated wireless handset, or service to
			 an internet connection used as a substitute for a traditional
			 telecommunications connection.
(c)
			 For purposes of this section, "lifeline monthly rate" means the lifeline base
			 rate under sub. (2) minus the lifeline adjustment under sub. (2g) or (2r).
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.063 - Outreach for low-income assistance programs

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)Funding may be
			 available to fund projects to increase participation of the eligible
			 populations in the universal service fund low-income support
			 programs.
(2)Funding from the
			 universal service fund for projects under sub. (1) may not exceed $250,000 in
			 one year. Funding shall be limited to not more than 6 projects with at least
			 one project focused statewide and one project focused on the Milwaukee area, if
			 feasible.
(3)The commission may
			 periodically review applications and grant funding, when funding is available,
			 based on complete responses to a request for applications. An application may
			 involve disbursement of support during multiple state fiscal years. All
			 applications become public documents upon filing.
(3m)An application for funding under sub. (1)
			 shall include all of the following:
(a) A
			 description of the proposed project.
(b) The name and a description of any project
			 partners and the role of each partner.
(c) A description of the proposed activities
			 and an explanation of how those activities may increase participation of
			 eligible populations in the universal service fund low-income support
			 programs.
(d) A budget showing a
			 breakdown of costs and how a grant under this section would be used.
(e) Any other information that the commission
			 considers necessary.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.071 - Service and equipment pricing for individuals with special telecommunications needs

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) SPECIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEEDS
			 CERTIFICATION.
(a) A person with a disability
			 may determine whether that disability presents a barrier to use of
			 telecommunications services, or equipment, or both. That person shall determine
			 what accommodations are needed to ensure effective telecommunications
			 access.
(b) When a provider, the
			 fund administrator, a vendor, or the commission has sound reason to question
			 the self-certification of a customer under par. (a), additional verification of
			 disability, such as an appropriate medical professional's written diagnosis and
			 description of physical limitations and special needs resulting from that
			 diagnosis, may be required for certification of special telecommunications
			 needs. An appropriate medical professional is one who is qualified to make such
			 a diagnosis and provide such a description.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.075 - Responsibility for pay telephone usability

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) In this
			 section, "pay telephone usability" means the ability to use pay telephone
			 equipment once it has been accessed by an individual.
(2) Pay telephone usability standards include
			 signage, volume control, monitoring height, cord length, and text
			 telephones.
(3) All pay telephone
			 service providers are responsible for compliance with all federal and state
			 standards regarding usability of their pay telephones by individuals with
			 disabilities.
(4) This section does
			 not create any new obligations for pay telephone usability beyond those imposed
			 under federal, state laws or negate any obligation for pay telephone usability
			 of other parties under the law.
(5)
			 Information on how to report non-compliance or any other complaint under sub.
			 (3) to the commission shall be posted at or on each pay telephone unit or bank
			 of units.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.08 - Telecommunications customer assistance program

Current through June 24, 2024
The commission may authorize individual telecommunications
				providers to establish telecommunications customer assistance programs that
				meet authorized goals and objectives for increasing or stabilizing subscription
				levels for non-optional, essential telecommunications service within its
				service territory or to address avoidance of disconnection or limitation of
				service to low-income households with payment problems. The customer assistance
				programs may allow a provider to not make available certain essential services,
				as defined in s.
				PSC
				160.03(2), in order to keep at least
				minimaltele communications service to certain low-income households with
				payment problems. The commission shall determine on a case-by-case basis
				whether or not a telecommunications customer assistance program may receive
				universal service fund monies.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.09 - High rate assistance credits

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) In this
			 section, "median household income" means the estimated median household income
			 per county published annually by the U.S. census bureau's small area income and
			 poverty estimate program.
Note:
This may be found on the commission's
				website at psc.wi.gov.
(1g)
			 A full ETC shall provide high rate assistance credits to residential customers
			 when the price of service exceeds levels set in this section.
(1r) A full ETC shall recalculate credits
			 under this section whenever the fixed monthly charge for essential
			 telecommunications service, as defined in s.
			 PSC
			 160.03(2), is changed, or when
			 ordered to do so by the commission. If the recalculation results in a de
			 minimis change, the ETC may request that the administrator of the division of
			 business and communications services stay the requirement to increase or
			 decrease the credit.
(2) Full
			 eligible telecommunications carriers shall calculate credits as specified in
			 sub. (4) utilizing the price of service determined under sub. (3).
(3) For purposes of calculating credits under
			 sub. (4):
(a) If a full ETC offers essential
			 services on a stand-alone basis, the price of service calculated under this
			 paragraph for its stand-alone essential services shall be considered the price
			 of service when calculating credits for all of the ETC's offerings, whether
			 provided on a stand-alone basis or as part of a bundle. The price of service
			 for stand-alone essential services that is used to calculate credits under sub.
			 (4) shall include all of the following charges and fees:
1. The in-state charges and fees for
			 residential stand-alone essential services, including, as applicable, all of
			 the following:
a. Police and fire protection
			 fee.
b. State universal service
			 fund assessment.
c. Remainder
			 assessment.
d. Telecommunications
			 utility trade practices assessment.
e. Federal universal service fund
			 assessment.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.092 - Alternative universal service protection plans

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)After notice and
			 opportunity for hearing the commission may, by order, implement one or more of
			 the following plans:
(a) An alternative to the
			 high rate assistance credit mechanism in s.
			 PSC
			 160.09.
(b) A measure to ensure provision of
			 intralata and interlata essential services.
(c) A measure approved by the commission as
			 necessary to protect universal service and ensure provision of
			 services.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.10 - Rate shock mitigation

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) The commission may authorize assistance,
			 through temporary rate credits, for customers of rate of return regulated
			 telecommunications utilities to mitigate the impact of large increases in
			 authorized rates.
(2) Rate shock
			 mitigation credits shall be funded by the telecommunications utility, where
			 possible. Where that is not the case, the telecommunications utility shall be
			 reimbursed for the amount of the credits from the universal service fund.
			 Funding for the rate shock mitigation shall be specified by the commission in
			 individual cases.
(3) When a
			 telecommunications utility charges a pro-rated portion of the normal monthly
			 charge for service because the customer has had service for only a portion of
			 the month, the rate shock mitigation credit for that customer shall be
			 pro-rated by the same percentage. The universal service fund shall reimburse
			 the telecommunications utility for the portion of the credit actually issued to
			 the customer when not funded by that utility.
(4) Rate shock mitigation credits shall be
			 shown and identified on bills issued to customers.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.11 - Assistance to institutions

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Partial support
			 funding through rate discounts is available for institutions ordering
			 telecommunications services to be used to provide any of the following
			 services:
(a) Two-way interactive video
			 services.
(b) High-speed data
			 transfer.
(c) Toll call access to
			 the internet.
(d) Direct internet
			 access.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.115 - Medical telecommunications equipment program

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)For purposes of
			 this section:
(a) "Initial application" means
			 the first application for universal service fund support under this section
			 that an applicant files in a state fiscal year.
(b) "Non-profit medical clinic" includes any
			 clinic or hospital that meets all of the following:
1. Is a non-profit organization governed by a
			 board of directors.
2. Serves
			 federally designated health professional shortage areas as defined in
			 42 USC 254e(a)
			 (1), medically underserved areas, or
			 medically underserved populations.
3. Does one or both of the following:
a. Provides services to all patients
			 regardless of insurance status.
b.
			 Uses a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients based on income
			 status.
(c)
			 "Public health agency" includes the department of health services, any local
			 health department as defined in s.
			 250.01(4),
			 Stats., and any health care facility or program operated by a tribe or tribal
			 organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act (
			 25
			 USC 450f et seq.)
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.125 - Funding to promote access to telecommunications services

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) TELEPHONE
			 ACCESS SERVICE FOR THE HOMELESS.
(a) The
			 commission may compensate any voice mail provider for providing, on request, to
			 a social services agency, a job service agency or a homeless shelter authority,
			 voice-mail service without charge to be used by that agency or authority for
			 the benefit of its homeless clients or residents.
(b) A voice-mail provider that is providing
			 voice-mail boxes to a qualifying agency or authority at no charge may request
			 and receive reimbursement only for its incremental usage and administrative
			 costs of providing this service using available capacity. As an alternative, a
			 provider may request and receive reimbursement from the fund at a standard rate
			 set by the commission to cover expected incremental costs of providing this
			 service using available capacity.
(c) A qualifying agency or authority
			 administering or providing voice-mail service to homeless clients may request
			 reimbursement for its costs directly attributable to administering and
			 providing the voice-mail boxes for the benefit of its homeless
			 clients.
(d) To evaluate the
			 effectiveness of this program, the commission may monitor and obtain
			 information on the offering of this service from the participating voice mail
			 providers, social services agencies, job service agencies and homeless shelter
			 authorities.
(e) A social services
			 agency, job service agency, or homeless shelter authority participating in this
			 program shall maintain a list of all individuals receiving voice mail under
			 this section.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.13 - Designation of eligible telecommunications carriers

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) GENERAL.
(a) The commission may designate a
			 telecommunications provider as an eligible telecommunications carrier. This
			 designation is not transferable.
(b) The commission may suspend or revoke an
			 ETC designation if the designee violates the requirements in this
			 section.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.16 - Fund administrator

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)The commission shall designate the fund
			 administrator and provide for an annual independent audit of the fund. The
			 commission shall establish guidelines for administration and assignment of
			 liabilities.
(2)The fund
			 administrator may propose a change or modification to the mechanisms of
			 administration of the fund. The commission may approve the request without
			 hearing.
(3)The universal service
			 fund shall compensate the administrator for the administrator's costs of
			 administering the fund as approved by the commission.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.17 - Fund budget and assessment rates

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)At least
			 annually, the commission shall set the budget for fund administration and the
			 programs specified in s.
			 PSC
			 160.05(1). The commission may make
			 adjustments to the budget as needed to address unforeseen circumstances.
			 Adjustments may include:
(a) Reallocating the
			 budget among programs.
(b)
			 Modifying the support formulas or benefits within a program.
(c) Deferring support payment decisions to a
			 later period.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 160 - Universal Service Support Funding And Programs › Section PSC 160.19 - Universal service fund council

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)The commission
			 shall appoint a universal service fund council to advise the commission
			 concerning the administration of s.
			 196.218,
			 Stats., the content of administrative rules adopted under s.
			 196.218,
			 Stats., and any other matters assigned to the universal service fund council by
			 the commission.
(2)The universal
			 service fund council shall consist of telecommunications providers and of
			 consumers of telecommunications services. The commission shall appoint a
			 diverse membership to the universal service council including representatives
			 of the incumbent and competitive local exchange telecommunications industry;
			 the cable industry; the wireless industry; and consumers of telecommunications
			 services including residential, business, governmental, and public special
			 interest group users of telecommunications services.
(3)A majority of the members of the universal
			 service fund council shall be representatives of consumers of
			 telecommunications services.
(4)
(a) Universal service fund council members
			 shall be appointed to staggered three-year terms.
(b) The commission may appoint a replacement
			 member to serve the remaining term of a member withdrawing from the universal
			 service fund council.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.01 - Purpose and special consideration

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) PURPOSE. As
			 required under s.
			 16.997(1),
			 Stats., this chapter establishes an educational telecommunications access
			 program to provide access to data lines and video links for eligible school
			 districts, private schools, cooperative educational service agencies, technical
			 college districts, private colleges and public library boards. Under this
			 chapter, the technology for educational achievement in Wisconsin board
			 determines eligibility to participate in the program. The department of
			 administration contracts with telecommunications providers under s.
			 16.974(1),
			 Stats., for the requested access. The applicant makes monthly payments to the
			 department for each data line or video link. The board pays from the universal
			 service fund the difference between costs under the contract and the
			 applicant's payments. The board may consider, as alternative access, service
			 architecture or technology not available through the department at the time of
			 the application.
(2) SPECIAL
			 CONSIDERATION. The board may apply to the commission for a waiver of any
			 requirement in this chapter for exceptional or unusual situations. Upon due
			 investigation of the facts and circumstances involved, the commission may waive
			 in exceptional or unusual situations any requirement in this chapter, so that
			 the provision of access is in a manner which is lesser, greater, other or
			 different than otherwise required in this chapter.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.02 - Definitions

Current through June 24, 2024
In this chapter:
(1)
			 "Alternative access" means a service architecture or technology not available
			 through the department at the time of the application.
(2) "Board" means the technology for
			 educational achievement in Wisconsin board.
(3) "Commission" means the public service
			 commission.
(4) "Cooperative
			 educational service agency" is a service unit created under ch. 116,
			 Stats.
(5) "Data line" has the
			 meaning given in s.
			 16.99(1m),
			 Stats.
(6) "Department" means the
			 department of administration.
(7)
			 "Private college" has the meaning given in s.
			 16.99(3g),
			 Stats.
(8) "Private school" has the
			 meaning given in s.
			 115.001(3r),
			 Stats.
(9) "Public library board"
			 means a board created under ch. 43, Stats.
(10) "School district" has the meaning given
			 in s.
			 115.01(3),
			 Stats.
(11) "Technical college
			 district" means a district organized under ch. 38, Stats.
(12) "Universal service fund" means the trust
			 fund established under s.
			 25.95,
			 Stats.
(13) "Video link" means a
			 2-way interactive video circuit and associated services.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.03 - Technical standards

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) GENERAL STANDARDS. The board shall
			 establish technical standards and specifications as necessary for access to
			 data lines or video links provided under the educational telecommunications
			 access program to school districts, private schools, cooperative educational
			 service agencies, technical college districts, private colleges and public
			 library boards. The board shall encourage the use of internationally recognized
			 standards, specifications and technologies, and consider adopting such
			 standards, specifications and technologies as soon as possible, to ensure that
			 access provided under this chapter allows maximum interaction with other
			 networks throughout the world.
(2)
			 DATA LINE. A data line shall terminate at an internet service provider unless
			 the board determines that an alternative is acceptable. A data line may include
			 transport and associated hardware required by the department for its management
			 of its statewide network. A data line does not include voice services or other
			 non-internet related data transmission or services unless the board determines
			 that other data transmission is acceptable. The direct access to the internet
			 provided by the data line does not include internet services such as
			 subscription services, electronic mail, applications and other services
			 determined by the board.
(3) VIDEO
			 LINK. The video link may include transport, switching equipment and software
			 needed to provide 2-way interactive video, maintenance, scheduling software,
			 and equipment needed to compress and decompress video information. A video link
			 may also include direct access to the internet through available channels
			 within the circuit and access to a gateway for purposes of inter-system
			 communication and compatibility. A video link may not include television
			 monitors, video cameras, audio equipment, any other classroom equipment or
			 personnel costs associated with scheduling.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.04 - Privacy protections

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Any access to data lines or video links
			 provided under the educational telecommunications access program shall include
			 protections against the outflow of information about users of
			 telecommunications services and protections to the users of telecommunications
			 services from receiving privacy intrusions, as required under s.
			 16.997(2)
			 (e), Stats.
(2) School districts, private schools,
			 cooperative education service agencies, technical college districts, private
			 colleges and public library boards with data lines or video links provided
			 under the educational telecommunications access program shall instruct all
			 personnel with access to the data lines and video links of the need to protect
			 the confidentiality of information transmitted over, and the users of, the data
			 lines and video links, and of the privacy requirements noted in this
			 section.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.05 - Applications

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Except as provided under sub. (3), a
			 school district, private school, cooperative educational service agency,
			 technical college district, private college or public library board may apply
			 to the board to participate in the educational telecommunications access
			 program for access to a data line or video link.
(2) Notwithstanding sub. (1), a school
			 district which operates more than one high school may apply for access to a
			 data line and video link or access to more than one data line or video link. A
			 school district may not apply for access to more data lines or video links than
			 the number of high schools in that district.
(3) A school district may not apply to
			 participate in the educational telecommunications access program for access to
			 a data line or video link if it has received in the current state fiscal year,
			 July 1 to June 30, an annual grant from the board under s.
			 16.997(6),
			 Stats.
Note:
Section
				16.997(6),
				Stats., was repealed by 2007 Wis. Act 20.
(5) The application to the board shall
			 include the following:
(a) The name, address
			 and telephone number of the school district, private school, cooperative
			 educational service agency, technical college district, private college or
			 public library board and the name and telephone number of an individual to
			 contact about the application.
(b)
			 A description of the access requested and plans for its use.
(c) The specific location for each data line
			 or video link requested.
(d) The
			 desired date for service to begin for each data line or video link
			 requested.
(e) A brief description
			 of the proposed use of each data line or video link requested.
(f) Other information requested by the board.
Note:
Application materials are available from the
				TEACH Board. The TEACH Board's web site is
www.teachwi.state.wi.us
.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.06 - Determinations of eligibility

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) The board shall
			 determine if any school district, private school, cooperative educational
			 service agency, technical college district, private college or public library
			 board which applies under s.
			 PSC
			 161.05 is eligible to participate in the educational
			 telecommunications access program.
(2) In its determination of eligibility under
			 sub. (1), the board shall use the following criteria:
(a) Availability of funds and impact of the
			 requested access on available funds.
(b) Applicant's educational technology
			 plan.
(c) Reasonableness of
			 requested access, including economic efficiency and cost. Requests for access
			 which requires telecommunications transport over long distances when similar
			 access is available locally or regionally may be determined
			 ineligible.
(d) Readiness of
			 applicant to use the requested access, including program development, facility
			 arrangements and staff training.
(e) Other criteria established by the
			 board.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.07 - Provision of services

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) ALTERNATIVE ACCESS.
(a) If an applicant eligible for access under
			 s.
			 PSC
			 161.06 requests alternative access, the board may
			 determine whether a particular alternative access is reasonable. The board may
			 at any time seek assistance from the department, which may include an analysis
			 of the feasibility of the alternative access requested.
(b) The board shall make its determination
			 under par. (a) within 90 days of the deadline for applications established by
			 the board, except that the department may request an extension for the
			 completion of its feasibility analysis.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 161 - Educational Telecommunications Access Program › Section PSC 161.08 - Payments

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Any contract under s.
			 16.974(1),
			 Stats., between an applicant and the department shall require a monthly payment
			 from the applicant to the department for each data line or video link, not to
			 exceed $250 per month, except that the payment required may not exceed $100 per
			 month for each data line or video link which relies on a transport medium
			 operating at a speed of 1.544 megabits per second.
(2) The board shall pay from the universal
			 service fund the costs of annual grants under s.
			 16.997(6),
			 Stats., and contracts under s.
			 16.974(1),
			 Stats., as required by s.
			 196.218(5)
			 (a) 5, Stats., to the extent that these costs
			 are not paid under sub. (1).
Section
				  16.997(6),
				  Stats., was repealed by 2007 Wis. Act
				  20.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 165 - Standards For Telecommunications Service › Section PSC 165.01 - General

Current through June 24, 2024
(2) The rules making up ch. PSC 165 are
			 designed to effectuate and implement, in part, commission responsibilities and
			 jurisdiction in ss.
			 196.016,
			 196.03,
			 196.04,
			 196.191,
			 196.199,
			 and
			 196.50(2)
			 (b), (c), (f), and (g), Stats., and parts of
			 other sections of Wisconsin statutes.
(3) The requirements of ch. PSC 165 shall be
			 observed by all telecommunications public utilities subject to the jurisdiction
			 of the commission except insofar as an exemption may be made by the commission
			 as hereinafter mentioned. Nothing herein shall preclude special and individual
			 consideration being given to exceptional or unusual situations and upon due
			 investigation of the facts and circumstances therein involved, the adoption of
			 requirements as to individual utilities or services which shall be lesser,
			 greater, other, or different than those provided in these rules and
			 regulations.
(4) The manner of
			 enforcing the rules in ch. PSC 165 is prescribed in s.
			 196.66,
			 Stats., and such other means as provided in statutory sections administered by
			 the public service commission.
(5)
			 In case of emergency, where public interest requires immediate action without
			 waiting for compliance with the specific terms of these rules, the rules shall
			 not prevent immediate corrective action by the utility, which action, however,
			 shall be subject to review by the public service commission.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 165 - Standards For Telecommunications Service › Section PSC 165.02 - Definitions

Current through June 24, 2024
In this chapter:
(7)
			 "Class of service" means the various categories of services generally available
			 to customers, such as business or residence.
(9) "Commission" has the meaning set forth in
			 s.
			 196.01,
			 Stats.
(10) "Customer or
			 subscriber" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, municipality,
			 cooperative organization, governmental agency, etc., provided with
			 telecommunications service by any telecommunications utility.
(12) "Exchange" means a unit established by a
			 telecommunications utility for the administration of telecommunications service
			 in a specified area which usually embraces a city, town, or village and its
			 environs. It consists of one or more central offices, remote switching units,
			 or pair gain devices or both together with associated plant used in furnishing
			 telecommunications service in that area.
(21) "Telecommunications service" has the
			 meaning set forth in s.
			 196.01,
			 Stats.
(22) "Telecommunications
			 utility" has the meaning set forth in s.
			 196.01,
			 Stats.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 165 - Standards For Telecommunications Service › Section PSC 165.032 - Schedules to be filed with the commission

Current through June 24, 2024
The provisions of the schedules of rates and rules filed with
				the commission and comprising the filed tariff of the utility shall be definite
				and so worded as to minimize ambiguity or the possibility of misinterpretation,
				and may include, together with such other information as may be deemed
				pertinent, any of the following subjects:
(1) A list of the exchanges and a tabulation
			 of the rates and charges for local exchange service at those
			 exchanges.
(2) A map of each
			 exchange showing any applicable rate areas within the exchange.
(3) A tabulation of the extended-area service
			 furnished.
(4) Definitions of
			 classes of service.
(5) Rules for
			 extending service to new customers indicating what portion of the line
			 extension or the cost thereof will be furnished by the utility.
(6) Rules governing the establishment or
			 re-establishment of service including credit requirements.
(7) Rules governing the procedure followed in
			 disconnecting and reconnecting service.
(8) Rules governing foreign exchange service
			 (where offered) and other service offerings together with the corresponding
			 rates and charges.
(9) Rules
			 governing the billing procedures and payment requirements.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 165 - Standards For Telecommunications Service › Section PSC 165.033 - Exchange area boundaries

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) For purposes of
			 its statewide telecommunications utility certification under s.
			 196.50(2),
			 Stats., a telecommunications utility shall file accurate exchange area boundary
			 maps depicting each specific obliged-to-serve geographical area in which it
			 offers a local exchange service, as defined in s.
			 196.219(1)
			 (b), Stats. Except as provided in sub. (2),
			 the commission shall use the exchange area boundaries designated by the maps on
			 file with it on June 9, 2011, to assist in the following activities:
(a) Administration of numbering resources and
			 federal local number portability requirements by determining rate center
			 boundaries.
(b) Designation of
			 eligible telecommunications carriers by determining wire center boundaries to
			 the extent feasible.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 168 - Telecommunications Resellers And Resale › Section PSC 168.01 - Purpose

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) The purpose of this chapter is to set
			 forth the regulation of resellers and resale, to identify those entities that
			 are telecommunications providers that must be certified as resellers under s.
			 196.01(1d)
			 (c), Stats., and to state the requirements
			 for consideration of petitions from telecommunications providers requesting
			 certification as alternative telecommunications utility resellers. Regulations
			 regarding the provision of operator services by telecommunications resellers
			 and providers of private pay telephone services are specified. This chapter
			 also describes the telecommunications services of telecommunications utilities
			 and specified alternative telecommunications utilities that are, or are not,
			 available for resale. This chapter sets forth procedures for petitioning to add
			 or remove a service from those available for resale, or to impose, remove, or
			 modify any restriction or condition unreasonably impairing the ability of a
			 reseller to resell a specific telecommunications service. This chapter
			 addresses neither the right nor the manner by which a telecommunications
			 utility may secure or claim an exemption, suspension, or modification of the
			 duty to resell, as addressed in s.
			 196.219(2),
			 Stats., and
			 47 USC
			 251(f).
(2) Except as specified in ss.
			 PSC
			 168.02(12) and
			 168.03, this chapter does not apply
			 to telecommunications utilities or telecommunications carriers.
(3) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude
			 special and individual consideration being given to exceptional or unusual
			 situations and upon due investigation of the facts and circumstances involved,
			 the adoption of requirements as to individual providers or services that may be
			 lesser, greater, other or different than those provided in this
			 chapter.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 168 - Telecommunications Resellers And Resale › Section PSC 168.03 - Services available for resale

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Whether offered
			 at wholesale, retail, or both, all telecommunications services of
			 telecommunications utilities and of alternative telecommunications utilities
			 that are required to allow resale by commission rule or order are approved for
			 resale by resellers, except the following:
(a)
			 Trunks for 911 and E911 service.
(b) Telephone relay services.
(c) Multi-party services.
(d) Telecommunications services offered in a
			 market trial. "Market trial" means an offering of a new service for technical
			 or market feasibility testing for a period not exceeding one year, and is
			 offered only to a small subgroup of all intended customers.
(e) Telecommunications services offered at
			 promotional rates that are restricted against resale by the offering utility.
			 "Promotional rate" means a temporary price discount or other incentive offered
			 to customers that will be effective for not more than 90 days for the purpose
			 of encouraging the purchase of new or additional telecommunications
			 services.
(f) Telecommunications
			 services offered at a discount to institutions providing educational, library
			 and health care services, as defined in
			 47 USC 254 and
			 any rules of the commission or federal communications commission implementing
			 that statute.
(g)
			 Telecommunications services that have been grandfathered, unless the services
			 are resold to customers that are eligible for the grandfathered services. In
			 such cases, the reseller shall be charged no more than the grandfathered price,
			 less any applicable wholesale discount and any other discounts, such as for
			 volume or term, for which the reseller qualifies.
Note
Consistent with the last sentence of s.
				PSC
				168.01(1), this subsection does not
				compel the creation of a wholesale rate, when, for example, a small
				telecommunications utility is claiming that it is a rural telephone company
				exempt from such duty under the provisions of
				47
				USC 153(37) and
				251(f)
				(1).