Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025
(a) Scope and Purpose. This section applies
to the registration of telecommunications utilities (i.e.,
providers of intralata and interlata long distance telecommunications services,
prepaid calling services companies pursuant to §
26.34 of this title (relating to
Telephone Prepaid Calling Services), and other telecommunications services that
do not require certification pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act
(PURA) Chapter 54, Subchapter C (relating to Certificate of Operating
Authority); except as noted in PURA §51.002(10) (relating to
Definitions)).
(b) Registration
Requirement. Each telecommunications utility not holding a certificate of
operating authority (COA) or service provider certificate of operating
authority (SPCOA) shall file with the commission the information set forth in
paragraphs (1) - (5) of this subsection no later than the 30th day after
commencing service in the State of Texas. A registered telecommunications
utility must report to the commission any changes to the information provided
in its registration within 30 days of the change.
(1) Registered Name. A telecommunications
utility may register in only one name:
(A)
The applicant shall provide the date the requested name was accepted, the
certification/file number assigned to the applicant and any assumed names
registered with the Office of the Secretary of State or the registration of
assumed names in another state or county, as applicable.
(B) The requested name shall not be
deceptive, misleading, vague, or duplicative of an existing certificated
telecommunications utility (CTU) or other existing registrants.
(C) Commission staff will review any name in
which the applicant proposes to do business. If staff determines that any
requested name does not meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph, it shall notify the applicant that the requested name may not be
used by the applicant. The applicant will be required to provide at least one
suitable name in order to be registered.
(2) Registration Number. The commission will
assign a PUC registration number to each new registrant upon completion of the
registration process;
(3) Contact
Information. Contact information must include, but not be limited to: business
office information (contact's name, contact's title, business and mailing
address, primary phone number, fax number and primary email address), complaint
contact, regulatory contact, primary and secondary emergency contacts and a
toll-free customer service number;
(4) Federal Carrier Identification.
Registrant must provide the FCC Carrier Identification Code (CIC) or National
Exchange Carriers Association (NECA) Operating Carrier Numbers (OCNs), if
available; and
(5)
Telecommunications Affiliates. Registrant must provide a list of all
telecommunications affiliates that operate in Texas with a description of the
relationship to the registrant, and an organizational chart, if
available.
(c)
Re-Registration. Registrations subject to this section expire on May 1st of
each odd-numbered year. Each registrant subject to this section must
re-register with the commission between January 1st and April 30th of each
odd-numbered year by electronically submitting the required form in the manner
established by the commission. A registration that is renewed during the period
from January 1 to April 30 of an odd-numbered year is extended for another two
years. A registration that is not renewed is no longer valid.
(d) Amendments to Registration.
(1) Name change. If a registrant proposes to
change its name, it must file a written notification and provide at a minimum:
its current registered name and registration number, the new registered name,
and an explanation for the requested name change.
(2) Cancellation of a Registration. If a
registrant proposes to cancel its registration it must file a written
notification and provide at a minimum: its current registered name,
registration number, and explanation of the requested cancellation. The
explanation of the cancellation must include the disposition of all affected
customers, whether notice was provided to customers, a copy of the notice
provided to customers, whether any credits or deposits are outstanding, and the
disposition of credits or deposits.
(e) Required Reports.
(1) Updates to contact information. All
registrants subject to this section shall annually submit updated contact
information in the manner established by the commission.
(2) All registrants subject to this section
shall comply with the reporting requirements in PURA and other sections of this
title, including but not limited to: §
26.89 of this title (relating to
Information Regarding Rates and Services of Nondominant Carriers).
(f) Revocation or Suspension. The
commission may suspend or revoke the registration pursuant to PURA Chapter 17,
if the commission finds that a registrant is in violation of PURA or commission
rules.
