196.196(2)(b)1.1. Intrastate access service rates of a price-regulated telecommunications utility with more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state may not exceed the utility's interstate rates for similar access services. The telecommunications utility shall eliminate 50% of its intrastate carrier common line charge within one year after its election to become price regulated and shall eliminate the balance of its intrastate carrier common line charge within one year thereafter.
196.196(2)(b)2.
2. A price-regulated telecommunications utility with more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state shall eliminate intrastate carrier common line charges upon full authorization to provide interlata service.
196.196(2)(b)3.
3. After eliminating intrastate carrier common line charges, the telecommunications utility may not reinstate an intrastate carrier common line charge or a substitute charge.
196.196(2)(c)
(c) A price-regulated telecommunications utility with 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state shall adjust its intrastate access service rates in equal annual increments so that, within 2 years after its election to become price regulated, its intrastate access service rates and rate elements do not exceed the lower of its intrastate access service rates and rate elements in effect as of the date of its election to become price regulated or its interstate rates for similar access services, including carrier common line. After the 2-year period, intrastate access service rates may not exceed the utility's interstate access service rates. Beginning on the 3rd anniversary of the utility's election to become price regulated, the utility's intrastate carrier common line charge may not exceed 83.33% of its existing interstate carrier common line charge. Beginning on the 4th anniversary of the utility's election, the utility's intrastate carrier common line charge may not exceed 66.67% of its existing interstate carrier common line charge. Beginning on the 5th anniversary of the utility's election, the utility's intrastate carrier common line charge may not exceed 50% of its existing interstate carrier common line charge.
196.196(2)(d)
(d) This subsection does not limit any surcharges to access service rates, including to the carrier common line charge or to substitute rate elements, as a means of collecting access customers' share of charges that may be ordered by the commission under
s. 196.218.
196.196(2)(e)
(e) A telecommunications utility shall give a customer written notice of any rate increase under this subsection before the customer is billed at the increased rate.
196.196(3)
(3) Price regulation of other services. 196.196(3)(a)(a) Except to the extent expressly permitted by this section and
ss. 196.19 (1m),
196.194,
196.195,
196.20 (1m),
196.204,
196.209 and
196.219, the commission may not have jurisdiction over the prices or terms and conditions for the offering of any other services, including new telecommunications services, offered by a price-regulated telecommunications utility.
196.196(3)(b)
(b) A price-regulated telecommunications utility shall file tariffs with the commission for the provision of any telecommunications service, whether or not the service is otherwise subject to this chapter. Except as provided in
s. 196.20 (2) (am), changes in the terms and conditions of tariffed services under
par. (a) shall be effective one day after filing with the commission, unless the tariff specifies a later effective date.
196.196(3)(c)
(c) A telecommunications utility shall give a customer written notice of any rate increase under this subsection before the customer is billed at the increased rate.
196.196(4)
(4) Price regulation for small telecommunications utilities. 196.196(4)(a)(a) A telecommunications utility with 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state may elect to become a price-regulated telecommunications utility and may elect to have its earnings considered in any review under
sub. (1) (e).
196.196(4)(b)
(b) A telecommunications utility with 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state may file a company-specific price regulation and investment plan subject to commission approval.
196.196(4)(c)
(c) A telecommunications utility with 150,000 or less access lines in use in this state that has elected price regulation may rescind election of price regulation and return to rate-of-return regulation, subject to the approval of the commission, if rescission is in the public interest considering the factors under
s. 196.03 (6).
196.196(4)(d)
(d) All of the following apply to a telecommunications utility that elects to return to rate-of-return regulation under
par. (c):
196.196(4)(d)1.
1. It may not elect to be subject to price regulation for a period of 3 years after returning to rate-of-return regulation.
196.196(4)(d)2.
2. It may be subject to a full rate case proceeding before the commission.
196.196(5)(a)(a) Within 60 days after a telecommunications utility elects to become price regulated under
sub. (1), the telecommunications utility shall file with the commission a plan outlining the telecommunications utility's commitment to invest in telecommunications infrastructure improvements in this state over a period of not less than 6 years.
196.196(5)(b)
(b) An investment plan filed with the commission shall include all of the following:
196.196(5)(b)1.
1. A description of the level of planned investment in technological or infrastructure enhancement.
196.196(5)(b)2.
2. A description of the extent to which planned investment will make new telecommunications technology available to customers or expand the availability of current technology.
196.196(5)(b)3.
3. A description of the planned deployment of fiber-optic facilities or broad-band capabilities to schools, libraries, technical colleges, hospitals and colleges and universities in this state.
196.196(5)(b)4.
4. Target dates for the deployment of the planned technology and infrastructure improvements.
196.196(5)(b)5.
5. For a telecommunications utility with more than 500,000 access lines in use in this state at the time of electing to become price regulated, a level of planned investment in an amount of not less than $700,000,000 within the first 5 years of the plan.
196.196(5)(c)1.1. A telecommunications utility shall provide the commission, within one year after its election to become price regulated under
sub. (1) and annually thereafter, a progress report relating to the telecommunications utility's investment in and deployment of infrastructure enhancements. A progress report shall include data relative to the telecommunications utility's operating and financial performance during the relevant period.
196.196(5)(c)2.
2. The commission shall consider the telecommunications utility's progress in meeting its investment plan infrastructure commitments when making penalty or incentive adjustments under
sub. (1) (c).
196.196(5)(d)1.1. Within 120 days after a telecommunications utility elects to become price regulated under
sub. (1), the commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may rescind the election if the telecommunications utility fails to file an investment plan within the time specified in
par. (a) or if the investment plan does not comply with
par. (b). If a hearing is held, the time within which the commission may act may be extended an additional 30 days.
196.196(5)(d)2.
2. If the commission orders a recision, the commission shall reinstate the level of regulation in effect at the time that the election was made and the telecommunications utility shall rescind any rate increases put into effect when the telecommunications utility operated as a price-regulated utility.
196.196(5)(e)
(e) Within 120 days after the completion of the first year and of the 2nd year that a telecommunications utility is price-regulated, the commission may reduce rates charged by the price-regulated telecommunications utility for services subject to price regulation by up to 2%. If a hearing is held, the time within which the commission may act may be extended an additional 30 days. The commission may reduce rates under this paragraph if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission finds any of the following:
196.196(5)(e)1.
1. That the telecommunications utility did not file a progress report within the time specified in
par. (c) 1.
196.196(5)(e)2.
2. That the progress report filed by the telecommunications utility does not contain sufficient information to permit the commission to adequately monitor the telecommunications utility's investment and deployment of infrastructure described in its investment plan.
196.196(5)(e)3.
3. That the actual or planned investment described in the progress report does not adequately provide for deployment of advanced infrastructure technologies, fails to exceed routine facility upgrades necessary to maintain service quality or fails to meet goals identified in the investment plan.
196.196(5)(f)1.1. Before January 1,
1996, and biennially thereafter, the commission shall submit a report to the joint committee on information policy and technology describing the status of investments in advanced telecommunications infrastructure in this state. The report shall include information on the progress made in all of the following areas:
196.196(5)(f)1.a.
a. Distance learning, including the number of schools and other educational institutions connected to distance learning networks.
196.196(5)(f)1.b.
b. Interconnection of libraries, including the number of libraries with video conferencing and network access capabilities.
196.196(5)(f)1.d.
d. Education, health care and employment opportunities for the disabled and other persons in the home.
196.196(5)(f)2.
2. The commission shall include in the report under
subd. 1. recommendations for improving the progress of investments in advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
196.196 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also chs.
PSC 163 and
165, Wis. adm. code.
196.197
196.197
Unbundled network elements. 196.197(1)
(1)
Applicability. This section applies to a petition to determine rates and costs of unbundled network elements or unbundled service elements under federal or state law, but does not apply to a petition for arbitration.
196.197(2)(a)(a) A telecommunications provider may file a petition with the commission in the form and containing the information required by the commission. The commission shall determine that a petition is complete if the petition includes all of the following:
196.197(2)(a)1.
1. A request that the commission determine rates and costs of unbundled network elements or unbundled service elements, an identification of the particular rates and costs that are the subject of the petition, and an identification of the relief sought by the petitioner.
196.197(2)(a)2.
2. One or more cost studies upon which the petitioner relies to support the rates and costs sought by the petitioner.
196.197(2)(a)3.
3. Prefiled written direct testimony upon which the petitioner relies to support the petition and relief sought.
196.197(2)(b)1.1. No later than 30 days after the date on which a petition is filed under
par. (a), the commission shall determine whether a petition is complete under
par. (a) and notify the petitioner about the determination. If the commission fails to make a determination within the 30-day period, the petition is considered to be complete. If the commission determines that a petition filed under
par. (a) is incomplete, the commission shall state the reason for the determination and identify the information that is needed to determine that the petition is complete.
196.197(2)(b)2.
2. A petitioner may supplement a petition that the commission has determined to be incomplete. No later than 15 days after a petitioner files a supplemented petition under this subdivision, the commission shall determine whether the supplemented petition is complete and notify the petitioner about the determination. The commission shall determine that a supplemented petition is complete if it contains the information identified in the determination under
subd. 1. that is needed to determine that the petition is complete. If the commission fails to make a determination under this subdivision within the 15-day period, the petition is considered to be complete. If the commission determines that a petition supplemented under this subdivision is not complete pursuant to this subdivision, the commission shall state the reason for the determination under this subdivision and identify the information that is needed to determine that the petition is complete under this subdivision. There is no limit on the number of times that a petitioner may supplement a petition under this subdivision.
196.197(2)(c)
(c) A petitioner shall provide a copy of a petition filed under
par. (a) or supplemented under
par. (b) 2. to any other telecommunications provider that may be affected by the petition at the same time that the petition is filed or supplemented. A telecommunications provider that may be affected by the petition may respond to the petition and provide the commission any additional information.
196.197(3)(a)1.1. This paragraph applies to petitions to determine 100 or less rates.
196.197(3)(a)2.
2. The commission shall enter a final decision under
sub. (4) on a petition within 180 days after the date on which the petition is determined or considered to be complete under
sub. (2) (b), unless an extension is agreed to under under
subd. 3. or granted under
subd. 4.
196.197(3)(a)3.
3. With the approval of the commission, the petitioner may, within the 180-day period specified in
subd. 2., agree to extend the time for a final decision.
196.197(3)(a)4.
4. The commission may, within the 180-day period specified in
subd. 2. or within any extension approved under
subd. 3., petition the circuit court for Dane County for an extension of time for entering a final decision on the petition. Within the 180-day period specified in
subd. 2. or within any extension approved under
subd. 3., the court may, upon a showing of good cause, grant an extension of not more than an additional 60 days. No more than one extension may be granted under this subdivision.
196.197(3)(b)1.1. This paragraph applies to petitions to determine more than 100 rates.
196.197(3)(b)2.
2. The commission shall enter a final decision under
sub. (4) on a petition within 270 days after the date on which the petition is determined or considered to be complete under
sub. (2) (b), unless an extension is agreed to under under
subd. 3. or granted under
subd. 4.
196.197(3)(b)3.
3. With the approval of the commission, the petitioner may, within the 270-day period specified in
subd. 2., agree to extend the time for a final decision.
196.197(3)(b)4.
4. The commission may, within the 270-day period specified in
subd. 2. or within any extension approved under
subd. 3., petition the circuit court for Dane County for an extension of time for entering a final decision on the petition. Within the 270-day period specified in
subd. 2. or within any extension approved under
subd. 3., the court may, upon a showing of good cause, grant an extension of not more than an additional 90 days. No more than one extension may be granted under this subdivision.
196.197(4)
(4) Final decision. The commission may reject a petition, grant a petition, or approve a petition with modifications or conditions. The commission shall issue a final decision that determines rates for the unbundled network elements and unbundled service elements specified in the petition, except to the extent that the evidence in the record is not sufficient for making such a determination with respect to a particular rate, unbundled network element, or unbundled service element.
196.197 History
History: 2003 a. 125.
196.198
196.198
Local measured telecommunications service. 196.198(1)(1) In this section, "extended community telephone service" means a telecommunications service by which a customer in one exchange may call a customer in another exchange or combination of exchanges under a discounted toll charge plan.
196.198(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
sub. (3), a telecommunications utility that has more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state or a telecommunications provider that has more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state may not charge a residential customer for basic local exchange service based on the duration of a call or on the time of day that a call is made. This paragraph does not apply to an extended community telephone service.
196.198(2)(b)
(b) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit a price-regulated telecommunications utility from offering discounts based on the time of day that a call is made if the price-regulated telecommunications utility also offers basic local exchange service at a rate permitted under
s. 196.196 (1).
196.198(3)
(3) The commission may suspend the application of
sub. (2) (a) in a particular geographical area for a telecommunications utility or a telecommunications provider if, after a contested case hearing, the commission determines that all of the following apply:
196.198(3)(a)
(a) Failure to suspend the application of
sub. (2) (a) makes competition in that geographical area impractical.
196.198(3)(b)
(b) Suspending the application of
sub. (2) (a) is beneficial to all of the following groups:
196.198 History
History: 1993 a. 496.
196.199
196.199
Interconnection agreements. 196.199(1)
(1)
Definition. In this section, "interconnection agreement" does not include an interconnection agreement to which a commercial mobile radio service provider is a party.
