| Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) | |||
| Multitenant Building Telecommunications Access Study | |||
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State Regulatory Precedents and Trends
State Public Utility Commissions (PUCs)
| Traditionally, the main function of a state public utility commission was setting rates. As utility services become more competitive, however, there is a widely recognized need for state commissions to undergo a transformation process. But the key question here is: what is the goal or purpose of the transformation. National Association of Regulatory Utility (NARUC) Commissioners concluded that the new public utility environment should be consumer-driven. They also concluded that special attention should be given to market analyses so that state commissions can identify workably competitive markets, emerging competition, tight oligopolies, and residual monopoly markets or services. In addition, they concluded that core customer protection is a continuing responsibility of commissions. The Commissioners desire state utility regulation, to the extent feasible and practicable, to be reoriented so that there is consumer-driven provision of utility services. Customer choice should drive the market for utility services. | |
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-- From Market Analysis of Public Utilities: The Now and Future Role of State Commissions, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC - 07/99) - http://www.nrri.ohio-state.edu/download/9914.pdf |
As the primary state agency charged with oversight and regulation of various utility sectors and companies, State Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) wield enormous power in their regional arenas. Many specific responsibilities fall to them involving telecommunications including carrier regulation, rate and tariff setting, creation and management of state Universal Service Funds (USF), and overseeing the involved and complex local evolution to a more open, dynamic, and competitive telecom marketplace. Traditionally, they have been charged with encouraging access to basic communications services by all households and addressing any lack of availability and/or affordability of those services. Today, they must also participate in helping resolve the Digital Divide growing between information "haves" and "have-nots" and further seek to insure advanced telecommunications infrastructure reaches remote rural and tribal communities, not just the urban centers.
Because of the PUCs crucial role in implementing and localizing telecommunications deregulation guidelines and mechanisms, their policies, procedures, and decisions can greatly advance or hinder regional telecommunications investment and infrastructure deployment. Regarding the multitenant building access issue, a number of State PUCs have acted to define wiring ownership and the demarcation point, detail reimbursement and revenue guidelines, restrict exclusionary arrangements, and otherwise create and support a consumer-driven public utility environment. The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) published their thorough Report on Access by Telecommunications Companies to Customers in Multitenant Environments in February 1999, which can be found at http://www2.scri.net/psc/general/publications/MTEFINAL.PDF. This report attempts to contribute a broader and more accessible examination of the issue and the various stakeholders interests and views.
| Building Bandwidth, Access and Connectivity for All | |
| The old PSTN telecommunications regulatory infrastructure model is inappropriate to support the Internet computing and network infrastructure model, as demand for data transmission doubles every six to nine months, and convergence between data and voice accelerates. On-demand, ubiquitous access to the Internet is redefining teledensity to include access to computers, flat-rate local loop connectivity, and access to local content. | |
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-- Global Information Infrastructure Commission (GIIC) Call for Action, 12/03/99 (http://www.gii.org/events/ann5call.html) |
| Multitenant Building Telecommunications Access Study | |||
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