196.20(1)
(1) The rate schedules of any public utility shall include all rules applicable to the rendition or discontinuance of the service to which the rates specified in the schedules are applicable. No change may be made by any public utility in its schedules except by filing the change as proposed with the commission. Except for a telecommunications utility, no change in any public utility rule which purports to curtail the obligation or undertaking of service of the public utility shall be effective without the written approval of the commission after hearing, except that the commission, by emergency order, may make the rule, as filed, effective from the date of the order, pending final approval of the rule after hearing.
196.20(1m)(a)(a) A telecommunications utility may discontinue a service to an exchange if the service is optional and not essential to the provision of basic local exchange service, business access line and usage service within a local calling area or access services, or if one or more other telecommunications providers, whether or not the telecommunications providers are telecommunications utilities or otherwise subject to this chapter, are furnishing substantially the same telecommunications service to customers in the exchange, or if reasonable alternative services are available from the utility or other telecommunications providers.
196.20(1m)(b)
(b) A telecommunications utility proposing to discontinue a service to an exchange shall file a notice of discontinuance of service with the commission, publish the notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the exchange, and provide other notice as reasonably required by the commission. Written notice of the discontinuation of a service under this subsection shall be given to affected customers.
196.20(1m)(c)
(c) Within 30 days after the date of publication of the notice, the commission, on its own motion or on the application of a person or other telecommunications utility, may initiate an investigation to determine if the discontinuance of service is authorized under this subsection. Following an opportunity for hearing, the commission may order the continued provision of any service not authorized to be discontinued.
196.20(1m)(d)
(d) The commission shall determine when and under what conditions a telecommunications utility may discontinue basic local exchange service, basic message telecommunications service or any element of universal service to an exchange or part of an exchange.
196.20(2)(a)(a) Except for a telecommunications utility, a proposed change which constitutes a decrease in rates shall be effective at the time specified in the change as filed but not earlier than 10 days after the date of filing the change with the commission, unless any of the following occurs:
196.20(2)(a)1.
1. During the 10-day period the commission, either upon complaint or upon its own motion, by order, suspends the operation of the proposed change.
196.20(2)(a)2.
2. The commission, upon application of any public utility, directs that a proposed reduction in rates be made effective less than 10 days after filing the proposed reduction.
196.20(2)(am)
(am) For telecommunications utilities, a proposed change which constitutes a decrease in rates shall be effective at the time specified in the tariff as filed unless the commission, either upon complaint or upon its own motion, finds after investigation and hearing that the rate reduction violates
s. 196.204 or
196.219. Upon such a finding, the commission may order changes in the rates, terms and conditions.
196.20(2)(b)1.1. A suspension under
par. (a) 1. shall be effective for a period not exceeding 4 months, during which period the commission shall investigate any matter relative to the reasonableness or lawfulness of any change in schedule as filed. After the investigation the commission, by order, shall approve or disapprove the change, except as provided under
subd. 2. The commission shall give the public utility proposing the change an opportunity for hearing prior to issuing any order disapproving a change. If the commission disapproves the change, the change shall be ineffective.
196.20(2)(b)2.
2. If the commission orders a suspension under
par. (a) 1., the commission, after notice to the public utility of its objections to the change and after giving the public utility an opportunity to be heard on the objections, may prescribe a schedule which, revised on the basis of the objections, the commission finds to be lawful and reasonable instead of disapproving the schedule under
subd. 1.
196.20(2m)
(2m) Except as provided under
sub. (5) and
ss. 196.193,
196.195 (12) and
196.196, no change in schedules which constitutes an increase in rates to consumers may be made except by order of the commission, after an investigation and opportunity for hearing. The commission may waive a hearing under this subsection for a proposed change in a telecommunications utility schedule. By rule or order, the commission shall specify the notice and procedural requirements applicable to a telecommunications utility proposal for which a hearing is waived.
196.20(2r)
(2r) In setting the rates charged for basic residential local exchange telecommunications service under this section in local exchange areas served by the same telecommunications utility, the commission may investigate those areas where changes in these rates may be warranted because of the number of access lines accessible from the local exchange area.
196.20(3)
(3) Except as provided in
subs. (1m) and
(5) (a), this section does not apply to telecommunications cooperatives or small telecommunications utilities unless made subject to this section under
s. 196.205 or
196.215 (2).
196.20(4)(a)1.
1. "Automatic adjustment clause" means a provision included in the rate schedule of an electric public utility after investigation, notice and hearing which permits the electric public utility to recover in rates, without prior hearing and order of the commission, an increase in costs incurred by the electric public utility.
196.20(4)(a)2.
2. "Electric public utility" means a public utility whose purpose is the generation, transmission, delivery or furnishing of electric power but does not include a public utility owned and operated wholly by a municipality or cooperative and does not include any public utility which purchases, under federal or state approved wholesale rates, more than 50% of its electric power requirements from other than an affiliated interest as defined under
s. 196.52. "Electric public utility" does not include any Class A utility, as defined under
s. 199.03 (4), whose electric generation equipment has a total capacity of less than 30 megawatts.
196.20(4)(b)
(b) An electric public utility may not recover in rates any increase in cost, including fuel, by means of the operation of an automatic adjustment clause.
196.20(4)(c)
(c) If an increase in fuel costs is of an extraordinary or emergency nature, the commission, after a hearing limited in scope to the question of the increase in fuel costs, may grant a rate increase to an electric public utility.
196.20(5)(a)(a) This subsection applies to any of the following:
196.20(5)(a)1.
1. A small telecommunications utility subject to this section under
s. 196.215 (2) that files with the commission a proposed change in its rate schedules that constitutes an increase in rates, tolls or charges to consumers.
196.20(5)(b)1.1. If a small telecommunications utility files a proposed change in rate schedule with the commission, it shall file with the proposed change, on a form prescribed by the commission by rule, information sufficient for the commission to consider the proposed change.
196.20(5)(b)1g.
1g. If the commission orders a review of a proposed rate increase under
s. 196.215 (5), the small telecommunications utility shall file information sufficient for the commission to consider rates, tolls and charges within 120 days after the date on which the small telecommunications utility receives notice from the commission that it is subject to this subsection.
196.20(5)(b)1r.
1r. If the commission orders a review of rates, tolls or charges under
s. 196.215 (6) or
(7), the small telecommunications utility shall file information sufficient for the commission to consider rates, tolls and charges within 120 days after the small telecommunications utility receives notice from the commission that it is subject to this subsection.
196.20(5)(b)2.
2. Within 30 days after a small telecommunications utility files information under
subds. 1. to
1r., the commission shall inform the small telecommunications utility if any additional information is necessary. The commission may dismiss a proposed rate increase if the small telecommunications utility fails to submit information requested by the commission. A proposed rate increase dismissed under this subdivision may be refiled at any time.
196.20(5)(c)1.1. No later than 14 days after a small telecommunications utility files information under
par. (b) 1. to
1r., unless the commission grants an extension, the small telecommunications utility shall send a written notice to all of its consumers and to any other person requesting notice. The notice shall designate a period of time during which the commission will receive written comments in favor of or against the small telecommunications utility's proposed rate increase or the small telecommunications utility's rates, tolls or charges and during which a request for a hearing may be submitted under
subd. 2.
196.20(5)(c)2.
2. After a small telecommunications utility sends the notice under
subd. 1., any person may submit to the commission a written objection to the proposed rate increase or to rates, tolls or charges or may request a hearing.
196.20(5)(c)3.
3. The commission shall give the small telecommunications utility, commission staff and all parties an opportunity to propose stipulations of facts, identify any issue between the parties and submit arguments in writing on such issues. Unless the commission and the small telecommunications utility agree to a later date, the commission shall serve any proposed stipulation on all parties and shall give any notice required under
subd. 4. within 120 days after the commission receives the application for the proposed rate increase or receives the information under
par. (b) 1r.
196.20(5)(c)4.
4. The commission shall give any person submitting a written objection or requesting a hearing under
subd. 2. notice of a proposed stipulation by regular mail. Within 10 days after the commission mails the notice, a person may submit to the commission a written request for a hearing, specifying his or her interest in the proceeding. If the commission determines that the person is entitled to have all rights of a party under
s. 227.44, the commission shall conduct a hearing under
s. 227.44. If the notice is returned undelivered or if a person does not request a hearing under this subdivision within 10 days after the commission mails the notice, the person waives the right to request a hearing.
196.20(5)(c)5.
5. The commission shall conduct a hearing under this subsection if a stipulation is not reached on all issues, if the commission determines that a hearing is required under
subd. 4. or if the small telecommunications utility or the commission staff requests a hearing. The small telecommunications utility and the commission staff shall serve proposed testimony on all parties at least 10 days before a hearing.
196.20(5)(d)
(d) If the commission does not conduct a hearing under this subsection, a proposed rate increase or change in a rate schedule becomes effective as proposed and any rates, tolls or charges under review under
s. 196.215 (6) or
(7) may not be altered unless the commission issues a final order no later than 150 days after the commission receives the application or receives the information under
par. (b) 1g. and
1r. If the commission conducts a hearing, a proposed rate increase or change in a rate schedule becomes effective as proposed and any rates, tolls or charges under review under
s. 196.215 (6) or
(7) may not be altered unless the commission issues the final order no later than 180 days after the commission receives the application or receives the information under
par. (b) 1g. and
1r. If the commission conducts a hearing, the hearing examiner may extend the time for issuing a final order up to 30 additional days. The commission and the small telecommunications utility may agree in writing to extend the time for issuing a final order.
196.20 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also chs.
PSC 116 and
164, Wis. adm. code.
196.20(6)
(6) If a telecommunications utility that is not a small telecommunications utility and that has 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state files with the commission an application for a rate change that constitutes an increase in rates, the rate change becomes effective as proposed unless the commission issues the final order on the application no later than 180 days after the commission receives the application. The hearing examiner may extend the time for issuing a final order up to 30 additional days. The commission and the telecommunications utility may agree in writing to extend the time for issuing a final order.
196.20 Annotation
A utility's expanded adjustment clause violated the requirement of public hearings prior to rate increases under sub. (2) [now sub. (2m)]. Wisconsin Environmental Decade, Inc. v. PSC,
81 Wis. 2d 344,
260 N.W.2d 712.
196.20 Annotation
The inclusion of nuclear fuel in an adjustment clause did not violate sub. (2) [now sub. (2m)]. Wisconsin Environmental Decade, Inc. v. PSC,
105 Wis. 2d 457,
313 N.W.2d 863 (Ct. App. 1981).
196.20 Annotation
Utility rate increases granted under automatic fuel adjustment clauses, without hearing, probably would not be illegal if the clauses were limited to purchased fuel or power. 70 Atty. Gen. 108.
196.201
196.201
Regulation of private shared telecommunications systems. 196.201(1)(1)
Definition. In this section, "private shared telecommunications system" means plant or equipment used to provide telecommunications service through privately owned customer premises equipment to a user group located in a discrete premises, such as in a building complex or a large multitenant building, or used to provide telecommunications service where the cost of service is shared among 2 or more persons who are not affiliated interests under
s. 196.52, and where the plant or equipment is not used to offer telecommunications service for sale directly or indirectly to the general public.
196.201(2)
(2) Request for access. At the request of any person who receives telecommunications service from a private shared telecommunications system, or at the request of a telecommunications utility or telecommunications carrier seeking to provide telecommunications service requested by any such person, the owner or manager of the private shared telecommunications system shall make facilities or conduit space available to any telecommunications utility or telecommunications carrier for the purpose of providing telecommunications service.
196.201(3)
(3) Commission may order. If the commission finds that the owner or manager of a private shared telecommunications system has failed to comply with a request under
sub. (2), it may order the owner or manager to make facilities or conduit space available to any telecommunications utility or telecommunications carrier making a request under
sub. (2) at reasonable prices and on reasonable terms and conditions, under the procedures of
s. 196.04.
196.201 History
History: 1985 a. 297;
1993 a. 491,
496.
196.202
196.202
Exemption of commercial mobile radio service providers. 196.202(2)(2)
Scope of regulation. A commercial mobile radio service provider is not subject to
ch. 201 or this chapter, except as provided in
sub. (5), and except that a commercial mobile radio service provider is subject to
s. 196.218 (3) if the commission promulgates rules that designate commercial mobile radio service providers as eligible to receive universal service funding under both the federal and state universal service fund programs. If the commission promulgates such rules, a commercial mobile radio service provider shall respond, subject to the protection of the commercial mobile radio service provider's competitive information, to all reasonable requests for information about its operations in this state from the commission necessary to administer the universal service fund.
196.202(5)
(5) Billing. A commercial mobile radio service provider may not charge a customer for an incomplete call.
196.202 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also chs.
PSC 170 and
172, Wis. adm. code.
196.203
196.203
Exemption of alternative telecommunications utilities. 196.203(1)(1) Except as provided in this section, alternative telecommunications utilities are exempt from all provisions of
ch. 201 and this chapter.
196.203(1m)
(1m) Any person claiming to be a cable telecommunications service provider under this section shall annually file with the commission any information required by the commission to determine the gross income of the person which is derived from the operation of a cable television system.
196.203(2)
(2) No person may commence providing service as an alternative telecommunications utility unless the person petitions for and the commission issues a determination that the person is an alternative telecommunications utility. The commission shall maintain information on authorized alternative telecommunications utilities and on applicants for alternative telecommunications utility status and make that information available to any person, upon request.
196.203(3)(a)(a) In response to a petition from any interested person, or upon its own motion, the commission shall determine whether the public interest requires that any provision of
ch. 201 or this chapter be imposed on a person providing or proposing to provide service as an alternative telecommunications utility in a relevant market. In making this determination, the commission may consider factors including the quality of service, customer complaints, concerns about the effect on customers of local exchange telecommunications utilities and the extent to which similar services are available from alternative sources.
196.203(3)(b)
(b) The commission may not deny a petition filed under
par. (a) by a provider of cable television service for alternative telecommunications utility status in a particular geographical area as not being in the public interest if basic local exchange service is provided in the same geographical area by any of the following:
196.203(3)(b)1.
1. A telecommunications utility with more than 50,000 access lines in use in this state.
196.203(3)(b)2.
2. Subject to
par. (c), a telecommunications utility with 50,000 or less access lines in use in this state which also provides cable television service in that geographical area, if provision of cable television service began after September 1, 1994.
196.203(3)(c)
(c) Paragraph (b) 2. shall not apply if the telecommunications utility's provision of cable television service is limited to the provision of satellite cable programming, as defined in
s. 943.47 (1) (b).
196.203(3)(d)
(d) Section 196.50 (1) (b) applies to an alternative telecommunications utility except for a provider of cable television service.
196.203(3)(e)1.1. If a provider of cable television service files a petition under
par. (a) for alternative telecommunications status to offer local exchange service, as defined in
s. 196.50 (1) (b) 1., in a geographical area served by a telecommunications utility with less than 50,000 access lines in use in this state on September 1, 1994, or at any time thereafter, the commission may not deny the petition as not being in the public interest and shall do any of the following:
196.203(3)(e)1.a.
a. Eliminate the telecommunications utility's obligation to be the provider of last resort.
196.203(3)(e)1.b.
b. Allocate universal service fund moneys available under
s. 196.218 (5) (a) 1. to the telecommunications utility to offset the obligation to be the provider of last resort under a formula that reimburses the telecommunications utility for 90% of the difference calculated by subtracting 110% of the weighted average basic single-party residential monthly rate for all telecommunications utilities in this state from the eligible telecommunications utility's average basic single-party residential rate and for 90% of the difference calculated by subtracting 110% of the weighted average single line business access line monthly rate for all telecommunications utilities in this state from the eligible telecommunications utility's single line business access line monthly rate.
196.203(3)(e)2.
2. The commission may not increase regulation of a telecommunications utility eligible for funds under
subd. 1. b. in implementing this paragraph.
196.203(3)(e)3.
3. Subdivision 1. does not apply after September 1, 1998, but a telecommunications utility eligible for funds under
subd. 1. b. remains eligible for universal service fund funding after that date to offset its obligation to be the provider of last resort.
196.203(4)
(4) The commission may impose any provision of
ch. 201 or this chapter on one or more, but not necessarily all, alternative telecommunications utilities providing service in a relevant market.
196.203(5)
(5) The commission may establish a reasonable fee schedule and may assess an alternative telecommunications utility to cover the cost of making a determination under this section.
196.203 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also chs.
PSC 168,
169,
170,
171, and
172, Wis. adm. code.
196.204
196.204
Cross-subsidization limited. 196.204(1)
(1) Except for retained earnings, a telecommunications utility may not subsidize, directly or indirectly, any activity, including any activity of an affiliate, which is not subject to this chapter or is subject to this chapter under
s. 196.194,
196.195,
196.202 or
196.203. No telecommunications utility may allocate any costs or expenses in a manner which would subsidize any activity which is not subject to this chapter or is subject to this chapter under
s. 196.194,
196.195,
196.202 or
196.203. Except as provided in
subs. (2) and
(4) the commission may not allocate any revenue or expense so that a portion of a telecommunications utility's business which is fully regulated under this chapter is subsidized by any activity which is not regulated under this chapter or is partially deregulated under
s. 196.194,
196.195,
196.202 or
196.203.
196.204(2)
(2) The commission may attribute revenues derived from the sale of directory advertising or directory publishing rights to the regulated activities of a telecommunications utility for rate making and other utility purposes.
196.204(3)
(3) The commission shall establish the necessary minimum accounting and reporting requirements, and structural separation requirements if necessary, for telecommunications utilities to enable it to enforce this section. For a telecommunications utility regulated under
s. 196.195 or
196.196, these requirements shall at a minimum include the filing of cost support documentation demonstrating compliance with
subs. (5) and
(6) before the effective date of each new service, including any unbundled service element or basic network function; before any reduction in the price of a service offered to end users; and before any increase in the price of a service offered to other telecommunications providers. The commission, on its own motion or upon complaint, may order any telecommunications utility to file cost support documentation showing that a service that the utility offers or a contract that the utility has entered into under
s. 196.194 complies with
subs. (5) and
(6).
196.204(4)
(4) In order to protect the public interest, the commission may allocate the earnings derived from sale of services partially deregulated under
s. 196.195,
196.202 or
196.203 to the fully regulated activities of a telecommunications utility for rate-making purposes.
196.204(5)(a)(a) In addition to the other requirements of this section, each telecommunications service, relevant group of services and basic network function offered or used by a telecommunications utility shall be priced to exceed its total service long-run incremental cost. The commission may waive the applicability of this paragraph to a telecommunications utility's basic local exchange service if the commission determines that a waiver is consistent with the factors under
s. 196.03 (6).
196.204(5)(b)
(b) Unless ordered by the commission,
par. (a) does not apply to basic local exchange service or to business access line and usage service within a local calling area offered by a telecommunications utility with 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state. If
par. (a) does not apply, the telecommunications utility may not reduce its rates for basic local exchange service below the monthly rate under
s. 196.215 (7) or total service long-run incremental cost, whichever is lower, and may not reduce its rates for business access line and usage service within a local calling area below total service long-run incremental cost.
196.204(6)(a)(a) In addition to the other requirements of this section, a telecommunications utility shall meet the imputation test in this subsection if all of the following apply:
196.204(6)(a)1.
1. The telecommunications utility has a service offering that competes with an offering of another telecommunications provider.
