Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1)
Wireline communications
providers. A wireline communications provider may seek support for
telecommunications and broadband services from the program if the provider
satisfies all of the following requirements:
(a) The provider is a local exchange company
as defined in WAC
480-120-021 that
serves fewer than forty thousand access lines within the state;
(b) The provider is an incumbent local
exchange carrier as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 251(h) or has been designated as
an incumbent local exchange carrier by the Federal Communications
Commission;
(c) The provider offers
basic residential and business exchange telecommunications services as set
forth in WAC
480-120-021 and
RCW
80.36.630;
(d) The provider has established a plan, as
described in WAC
480-123-110,
to provide, maintain, or enhance broadband service; and
(e) The provider has been designated by the
commission as an ETC for purposes of receiving federal universal service
support pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Part 54 Subpart D - Universal Service Support for
High Cost Areas, with respect to the service areas for which the provider is
seeking program support.
(2)
Wireless communications
providers. A wireless communications provider may seek support for
telecommunications and broadband services from the program if the provider
satisfies all of the following requirements:
(a) The provider is licensed by the Federal
Communications Commission to offer commercial mobile radio service within the
state of Washington;
(b) The
provider serves fewer than the equivalent of forty thousand access lines in
Washington;
(c) The provider has
established a plan, as described in WAC
480-123-110,
to provide, maintain, or enhance broadband service; and
(d) The provider has been designated by the
commission as an ETC for purposes of receiving federal universal service
support pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Part 54 Subpart D - Universal Service Support for
High Cost Areas, with respect to the service areas for which the provider is
seeking program support.
(3)
Other communications
providers. A communications provider other than a provider specified in
subsection (1) or (2) of this section may seek support for telecommunications
and broadband services from the program if the provider satisfies all of the
following requirements:
(a) The provider is
authorized by both the Federal Communications Commission and the commission to
provide telecommunications service within the state of Washington;
(b) The provider demonstrates that it can
provide the same or comparable services at the same or similar service quality
standards at a lower price;
(c) The
provider demonstrates it can provide telecommunications and broadband services
to all residential and business locations within the exchange or exchanges for
which it requests program support and irrevocably commits to maintain that
capability for as long as it receives support and to serve all persons
requesting such service within such exchange or exchanges;
(d) The provider submits to the commission's
regulation of its service as if it were the incumbent local exchange company
serving the exchange or exchanges for which it seeks support from the
program;
(e) The provider has
established a plan, as described in WAC
480-123-110,
to provide, maintain, or enhance broadband service;
(f) The provider offers basic residential and
business exchange telecommunications services as set forth in WAC
480-120-021 and
RCW
80.36.630; and
(g) The provider has been designated by the
commission as an ETC for purposes of receiving federal universal service
support pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Part 54 Subpart D - Universal Service Support for
High Cost Areas, with respect to the service areas for which the provider is
seeking program support.
(4) In calculating access lines or
equivalents under this section, the access lines or equivalents of all
affiliates must be counted as a single threshold, if the lines or equivalents
are located in Washington; provided that only the wireline access lines of the
affiliates of a provider seeking support as a wireline carrier will count
toward the single threshold for that provider, and only the wireless access
line equivalents of the affiliates of a provider seeking support as a wireless
carrier will count toward the single threshold for that provider.