Opinion ID: 1340144
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Interconnection agreements

Text: Time Warner contends the Commission erred as a matter of law in holding that the company does not need certification as an LEC to obtain interconnect agreements with existing LECs in these areas. The Commission held that Time Warner may enter into such negotiations without further approval of this Commission. State law provides for interconnect agreements between certified LECs. Section 58-9-280(C)(1) (Supp.2006) provides: The commission shall determine the requirements applicable to all local telephone service providers necessary to implement this subsection. These requirements shall be consistent with applicable federal law and shall: (1) provide for the reasonable interconnection of facilities between all certified local telephone service providers upon a bona fide request for interconnection.... (emphasis added). Here, the Commission ruled only that certification is not required before negotiating for interconnect agreements. This ruling is not inconsistent with state law. Section 58-9-280(C)(1) provides that interconnect agreements may ultimately be approved only if between certified carriers. No approval of interconnect agreements is at issue here. Under the Commission's ruling, Time Warner therefore does not need certification as an LEC at this time for its stated purpose of negotiating interconnect agreements. Since the Commission's order gives Time Warner permission to negotiate for interconnect agreements, there is no relief to be granted on appeal.