196.218(2)(a) (a) Hold a hearing on the universal service fund.
196.218(2)(b) (b) After holding the hearing under par. (a), direct the establishment of the universal service fund.
196.218(2)(c) (c) Contract for the administration of the universal service fund.
196.218(2)(d) (d) Obtain an annual independent audit of the universal service fund.
196.218(3) (3)Contributions to the fund.
196.218(3)(a)1.1. Except as provided in par. (b), the commission shall require all telecommunications providers to contribute to the universal service fund beginning on January 1, 1996.
196.218(3)(a)2. 2. The commission may require a person other than a telecommunications provider to contribute to the universal service fund if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission determines that the person is offering a nontraditional broadcast service in this state that competes with a telecommunications service provided in this state for which a contribution is required under this subsection.
196.218(3)(a)3. 3. The commission shall designate the method by which the contributions under this paragraph shall be calculated and collected. Contributions may be based only on the gross operating revenues from the provision of broadcast services identified by the commission under subd. 2. and on intrastate telecommunications services in this state of the telecommunications providers subject to the contribution.
196.218(3)(b) (b) The commission may exempt from part or all of the contributions required under par. (a) telecommunications providers who have small gross operating revenues from the provision of intrastate telecommunications services in this state and who have provided these services for less than a period specified by the commission, not to exceed 5 years. The commission may also exempt a telecommunications provider or other person from part or all of the contribution required under par. (a) if the commission determines that requiring the contribution would not be in the public interest.
196.218(3)(c) (c) The commission shall designate by rule the classes of providers or other persons subject to par. (a) and the required rates of contribution for each class.
196.218(3)(d) (d) The commission shall consider all of the following in specifying the contributions required under par. (a):
196.218(3)(d)1. 1. The impact of the contributions on all members of the public and the telecommunications industry.
196.218(3)(d)2. 2. The fairness of the amount of the contributions and the methods of collection.
196.218(3)(d)3. 3. The costs of administering the collection of the contributions.
196.218(3)(e) (e) Except as provided in s. 196.196 (2) (d), a telecommunications provider or other person may not establish a surcharge on customers' bills to collect from customers contributions required under this subsection.
196.218(4) (4)Essential services and advanced service capabilities. Before January 1, 1996, and biennially thereafter, the commission shall promulgate rules that define a basic set of essential telecommunications services that shall be available to all customers at affordable prices and that are a necessary component of universal service. Before January 1, 1996, and biennially thereafter, the commission shall promulgate rules that define a set of advanced service capabilities that shall be available to all areas of this state at affordable prices within a reasonable time and that are a necessary component of universal service. For rules promulgated before January 1, 1996, a reasonable time for the availability of the defined set of advance service capabilities shall be no later than January 1, 2005, and, for rules promulgated thereafter, a reasonable time for the availability of additional advanced service capabilities in the defined set shall be no later than 7 years after the effective date of the rules. These essential services and advanced service capabilities shall be based on market, social, economic development and infrastructure development principles rather than on specific technologies or providers. Essential services include single-party service with touch-tone capability, line quality capable of carrying facsimile and data transmissions, equal access, emergency services number capability, a statewide telecommunications relay service and blocking of long distance toll service.
196.218(4m) (4m)Toll blocking. The commission shall issue rules to implement, cost-free to low-income customers, the capability to block all long distance or other toll calls from a customer's telephone service with a goal of universal applicability of the toll-blocking service no later than January 1, 1996. A telecommunications utility may petition the commission for a waiver from providing toll-blocking service upon a demonstration that providing this service would represent an unreasonable expense for the telecommunications utility and its ratepayers.
196.218(5) (5)Uses of the fund.
196.218(5)(a)(a) The commission shall require that moneys in the universal service fund be used only for any of the following purposes:
196.218(5)(a)1. 1. To assist customers located in areas of this state that have relatively high costs of telecommunications services, low-income customers and disabled customers in obtaining affordable access to a basic set of essential telecommunications services.
196.218(5)(a)2. 2. To assist in the deployment of advanced service capabilities of a modern telecommunications infrastructure throughout this state.
196.218(5)(a)3. 3. To promote affordable access throughout this state to high-quality education, library and health care information services.
196.218(5)(a)4. 4. To administer the universal service fund.
196.218(5)(b) (b) The commission shall promulgate rules to determine whether a telecommunications provider, the customers of a telecommunications provider or another person shall be assisted by the universal service fund for any use under par. (a).
196.218(5)(c) (c) The commission shall consider all of the following in establishing the services and equipment which may be assisted by the universal service fund:
196.218(5)(c)1. 1. The impact of the assistance on all members of the public and the telecommunications industry.
196.218(5)(c)2. 2. Eligibility requirements for assistance recipients.
196.218(5)(c)3. 3. The costs of administering the assistance.
196.218(5)(c)4. 4. Telecommunications plans and requirements established by the federal rural electrification administration.
196.218(5)(c)5. 5. The extent to which the fund preserves and promotes an available and affordable basic set of essential telecommunications services, encourages access to the advanced service capabilities of a modern telecommunications infrastructure throughout the state and promotes economic development.
196.218(5m) (5m)Rule review. At least biennially, the commission shall review and revise as appropriate rules promulgated under this section.
196.218(5r) (5r)Annual report.
196.218(5r)(a)(a) Annually, the commission shall submit a universal service fund report to the joint committee on information policy. The report shall include information about all of the following:
196.218(5r)(a)1. 1. The affordability of and accessibility to a basic set of essential telecommunications services and of advanced service capabilities throughout this state.
196.218(5r)(a)2. 2. The affordability of and accessability to high-quality education, library and health care information services.
196.218(5r)(a)3. 3. Financial assistance provided under the universal service fund.
196.218(5r)(a)4. 4. An assessment of how successful investments identified in s. 196.196 (5) (f), assistance provided by the universal service fund or the Wisconsin advanced telecommunications foundation and price regulation and other alternative incentive regulations of telecommunications utilities designed to promote competition have been in advancing the public interest goals identified under s. 196.03 (6), and recommendations for further advancing those goals.
196.218(5r)(b) (b) The commission shall prepare a report to determine if public access broadcast channels may receive funding from the universal service fund as an advanced telecommunications service or other service and the effect of federal law on public access broadcast channel funding eligibility. The results of the report shall be included in the 2nd annual report submitted by the commission under par. (a).
196.218(6) (6)Universal service fund council.
196.218(6)(a)(a) The commission shall appoint a universal service fund council under s. 15.04 (1) (c) consisting of representatives of telecommunications providers and consumers of telecommunications services, including this state. The majority of the members of the council shall be representatives of consumers of telecommunications services.
196.218(6)(b) (b) The universal service fund council shall advise the commission concerning the administration of this section and the content of rules promulgated under this section.
196.218(7) (7)Education. The commission may require a telecommunications provider to undertake reasonable public notification and education efforts to inform eligible customers of the availability and requirements of universal and basic service programs, including any offerings of lifeline or other supported services established under state or federal law.
196.218(8) (8)Penalties.
196.218(8)(a)(a) Any person who fails or refuses to pay the contribution required under sub. (3) may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $10,000. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate offense.
196.218(8)(b) (b) A court imposing a forfeiture under par. (a) shall consider all of the following in determining the amount of the forfeiture:
196.218(8)(b)1. 1. The appropriateness of the forfeiture to the volume of business of the person.
196.218(8)(b)2. 2. The gravity of the violation.
196.218(8)(b)3. 3. Any good faith attempt to achieve compliance after the person or an officer, agent or employe of the person receives notice of the violation.
196.218(8)(b)4. 4. The financial gain sought by the person by not paying the contribution required under sub. (3).
196.218(9) (9)Emergency telephone service study. The commission shall conduct a study to determine if emergency telephone services should be supported by the universal service fund. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for statutory changes no later than January 1, 1997, to the joint committee on information policy.
196.218 History History: 1993 a. 496.
196.219 196.219 Protection of telecommunications consumers.
196.219(1)(1)Definition. In this section, "consumer" means any person, including a telecommunications provider, that uses the services, products or facilities provided by a telecommunications utility.
196.219(2) (2)Consumer protection.
196.219(2)(a)(a) Notwithstanding any exemptions identified in this chapter except s. 196.202, a telecommunications utility shall provide protection to its consumers under this section unless exempted in whole or in part by rule or order of the commission under this section. The commission shall promulgate rules that identify the conditions under which provisions of this section may be suspended.
196.219(2)(b) (b) On petition, the commission may grant an exemption from a requirement under this section upon a showing that the exemption is reasonable and not in conflict with the factors under s. 196.03 (6).
196.219(2)(c) (c) On petition, the commission may grant an exemption from a requirement under this section retroactively if the application of the requirement would be unjust and unreasonable considering the factors under s. 196.03 (6) or other relevant factors.
196.219(2)(d) (d) If the commission grants an exemption under this subsection, it may require the telecommunications utility to comply with any condition necessary to protect the public interest.
196.219(2m) (2m)Access services.
196.219(2m)(a)(a) A telecommunications utility shall provide access services under tariff under the same rates, terms and conditions to all telecommunications providers.
196.219(2m)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to cellular telephone interconnection arrangements authorized or required by the federal communications commission.
196.219(3) (3)Prohibited practices. A telecommunications utility may not do any of the following with respect to regulated services:
196.219(3)(a) (a) Refuse to interconnect within a reasonable time with another person to the same extent that the federal communications commission requires the telecommunications utility to interconnect. The public service commission may require additional interconnection based on a determination, following notice and opportunity for hearing, that additional interconnection is in the public interest and is consistent with the factors under s. 196.03 (6).
196.219(3)(b) (b) Upon request, fail to disclose in a timely and uniform manner information necessary for the design of equipment and services that will meet the specifications for interconnection.
196.219(3)(c) (c) Impair the speed, quality or efficiency of services, products or facilities offered to a consumer under a tariff, contract or price list.
196.219(3)(d) (d) Unreasonably refuse, restrict or delay access by any person to a telecommunications emergency service.
196.219(3)(e) (e) Fail to provide a service, product or facility to a consumer other than a telecommunications provider in accord with the telecommunications utility's applicable tariffs, price lists or contracts and with the commission's rules and orders.
196.219(3)(em) (em) Refuse to provide a service, product or facility to a telecommunications provider in accord with the telecommunications utility's applicable tariffs, price lists or contracts and with the commission's rules and orders.
196.219(3)(f) (f) Refuse to provide basic local exchange service, business access line and usage service within a local calling area and access service on an unbundled basis to the same extent that the federal communications commission requires the telecommunications utility to unbundle the same services provided under its jurisdiction. The public service commission may require additional unbundling of intrastate telecommunications services based on a determination, following notice and opportunity for hearing, that additional unbundling is required in the public interest and is consistent with the factors under s. 196.03 (6). The public service commission may order unbundling by a small telecommunications utility.
196.219(3)(g) (g) Provide services, products or facilities in violation of s. 196.204.
196.219(3)(h) (h) To the extent prohibited by the federal communications commission, or by the public service commission under rules promulgated consistent with the factors under s. 196.03 (6), give preference or discriminate in the provision of services, products or facilities to an affiliate, or to the telecommunications utility's own or an affiliate's retail department that sells to consumers.
196.219(3)(j) (j) Restrict resale or sharing of services, products or facilities, except for basic local exchange service other than extended community calling, unless the commission orders the restriction to be lifted. A telecommunications utility that has 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state may limit the use of extended community calling or business line and usage service within a local calling area as a substitute for access service, unless the commission orders the limitation to be lifted.
196.219(3)(L) (L) Fail to provide, or to terminate, any telecommunications service as necessary to comply with the minimum standards of service established by the commission with respect to technical service quality, deposits, disconnection, billing and collection of amounts owed for services provided or to be provided.
196.219(3)(m) (m) Provide telecommunications service to any person acting as a telecommunications utility, telecommunications provider, alternative telecommunications utility or telecommunications carrier if the commission has ordered the telecommunications utility to discontinue service to that person.
196.219(3)(n) (n) Provide telecommunications service in violation of s. 100.207.
196.219(4) (4)Enforcement.
196.219(4)(a)(a) On the commission's own motion or upon complaint filed by the consumer, the commission shall have jurisdiction to take administrative action or to commence civil actions against telecommunications utilities to enforce this section.
196.219(4)(b) (b) The commission may, at its discretion, institute in any court of competent jurisdiction a proceeding against a telecommunications utility for injunctive relief to compel compliance with this section, to compel the accounting and refund of any moneys collected in violation of this section or for any other relief permitted under this chapter.
196.219(4d) (4d)Unfair trade practice enforcement. Upon receipt of a notice issued under s. 100.208, the commission may order a telecommunications provider to cease offering the telecommunications service that creates the unfair trade practice or method of competition.
196.219(4m) (4m)Civil actions. Upon a finding of a violation of this section by the commission, any person injured because of a violation of this section by a telecommunications utility may commence a civil action to recover damages or to obtain injunctive relief.
196.219(5) (5)Alternate dispute resolution. The commission shall establish by rule a procedure for alternative dispute resolution to be available for complaints filed against a telecommunications utility.
196.219 History History: 1993 a. 496.
196.22 196.22 Discrimination forbidden. No public utility may charge, demand, collect or receive more or less compensation for any service performed by it within the state, or for any service in connection therewith, than is specified in the schedules for the service filed under s. 196.19, including schedules of joint rates, as may at the time be in force, or demand, collect or receive any rate, toll or charge not specified in the schedule.
196.22 History History: 1983 a. 53.
196.24 196.24 Agents of commission; powers.
196.24(1) (1) For the purpose of making any investigation with regard to any public utility the commission may appoint, by an order in writing, an agent whose duties shall be prescribed in the order.
196.24(2) (2) In the discharge of his or her duties, an agent appointed under sub. (1) shall have any inquisitional power granted to the commission and the power of a court commissioner to take depositions under s. 757.69 (3) (b).
196.24(3) (3) The commission may conduct any number of investigations contemporaneously through different agents, and may delegate to any agent the authority to take testimony bearing upon any investigation or at any hearing. The decision of the commission shall comply with s. 227.46 and shall be based upon its records and upon the evidence before it.
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This is an archival version of the Wis. Stats. database for 1995. See Are the Statutes on this Website Official?