1. (a) A common carrier seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier must file a network deployment plan explaining its plans to provide service throughout the proposed eligible telecommunications service area. The network deployment plan must include

   1. (1) an explanation of how service availability, service quality, coverage, or capacity will improve over the duration of the deployment plan with the receipt of universal service support for high-cost areas;
   2. (2) the projected start and completion date for each major expansion of the network deployment plan;
   3. (3) the total estimated investment for each planned major expansion of the network and the estimated amount of universal service support for high-cost areas that is available to fund the investment;
   4. (4) specific geographic locations for each major expansion;
   5. (5) areas receiving facilities-based coverage as a result of network expansion; and
   6. (6) specific areas where resale will be the primary means of providing service.

2. (b) When evaluating the network deployment plan the commission will consider

   1. (1) the scope of the geographic area the common carrier will serve by resale;
   2. (2) the common carrier's schedule for commencing facilities-based service and resold service within the eligible telecommunications carrier service area;
   3. (3) the overall reasonableness of the network deployment plan; and
   4. (4) other factors demonstrating whether the network deployment plan is consistent with the public interest; in areas served by a rural telephone company, the commission will consider whether the deployment plan provides a competitive advantage to the requesting common carrier or unfairly disadvantages the incumbent in the provision of universal service.

(Eff. 7/12/2009, Register 191)

Authority: AS 42.05.141, AS 42.05.145, AS 42.05.151, AS 42.05.291