Alaska Administrative Code
Title 3 - Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Part 7 - Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Chapter 51 - Telecommunications Relay Services
Article 1 - Criteria for the Provision of Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Speech Impaired
3 AAC 51.020 - Selection of telecommunications relay service provider

(a) In accordance with the provisions of this section, the commission will issue an order requesting applications for the provision of TRS in this state and specifying the general, business, technical, and financial information to be provided by an applicant.

(b) If more than one entity applies to provide TRS in this state, the commission will hold a public hearing to examine the applications on a comparative basis. In accordance with (e) - (g) of this section, the commission will determine whether one or more applicants are qualified and which applicant is most fit, willing, and able to provide TRS in this state and can provide quality service at just and reasonable rates.

(c) If no applications are received, or if the commission determines that none of the applicants are fit, willing, and able to provide TRS, the existing certificated provider shall continue to provide service under the terms and conditions of its effective tariff. If no applications are received, the commission will issue an order requesting applications every 12 months, unless good cause indicates otherwise. A TRS provider required to serve beyond its initial term of service, as provided in this section, is exempt from the requirements of 3 AAC 48.275(a), but shall provide reasonable justification for any proposed change to its monthly revenue requirement.

(d) The commission will issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a TRS provider selected under this section for a period of at least five years.

(e) In addition to the application information required under (a) of this section, a TRS applicant shall provide documentation that verifies the applicant has

(f) In reviewing applications, the commission will rank applicants using the following weighting criteria:

(g) In its order requesting applications issued under (a) and (c) of this section, the commission will establish the terms and amount of an escrow or bond that it determines an applicant must provide to demonstrate an ability to ensure the provision of TRS in this state.

(h) The commission will reject all applications and renotice the application process if it determines that none of the applicants can provide quality service at just and reasonable rates.