(A) It is the policy of this state to:

1. (1) Ensure the availability of adequate basic local exchange service to citizens throughout the state;
2. (2) Provide incentives for competing providers of telecommunications service to provide advanced, high-quality telecommunications service to citizens throughout the state;
3. (3) Rely primarily on market forces, where they exist, to maintain reasonable service levels for telecommunications services at reasonable rates;
4. (4) Encourage innovation in the telecommunications industry and the deployment of advanced telecommunications services;
5. (5) Create a regulatory climate that provides incentives to create and maintain high technology jobs for Ohioans;
6. (6) Promote diversity and options in the supply of telecommunications services and equipment throughout the state;
7. (7) Recognize the continuing emergence of a competitive telecommunications environment through flexible regulatory treatment of telecommunications services where appropriate;
8. (8) Consider the regulatory treatment of competing and functionally equivalent services and, to the extent practicable, provide for equivalent regulation of all telephone companies and services;
9. (9) Not unduly favor or advantage any provider and not unduly disadvantage providers of competing and functionally equivalent services; and
10. (10) Protect the affordability of telephone service for low-income subscribers through the continuation of federal lifeline assistance programs.