1. (1) An applicant for eligible telecommunications carrier status must demonstrate the requirements for designation will be met upon designation or within a reasonable time following designation, and, on request by the commission, existing eligible telecommunications carriers must demonstrate the requirements for designation are being met or will be met within a reasonable time following a review of status proceeding.

2. (2) The minimum requirements for designation and maintenance of status as an eligible telecommunications carrier include:

   1. (a) offering the services that are supported by the federal universal service support mechanisms as required by 47 CFR 54.201(d) (1) and identified in 47 CFR 54.101 and 47 USC 254(c) ;
   2. (b) advertising the availability of the supported services and the charges for those services using media of general distribution as required by 47 CFR 54.201(d) (2) ;
   3. (c) providing the supported services throughout the designated service area to all customers making a reasonable request for service, including low-income, low-density, rural, insular, and high-cost customers, and, for service in rural areas, in a manner reasonably comparable and at a rate reasonably comparable to similar services offered in urban areas;
   4. (d) satisfying applicable consumer protection and service quality standards;
   5. (e) offering a local usage plan comparable to the one offered by the incumbent local exchange carrier; and
   6. (f) demonstrating eligible telecommunications carrier status is in the public interest.

Authorizing statute(s): 69-3-822, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 69-3-840, MCA

History: NEW, 2005 MAR p. 653, Eff. 4/29/05.