The Kan. Corporation Commission agreed to reconsider parts of an ...
The Kan. Corporation Commission agreed to reconsider parts of an Oct. order setting criteria for deciding whether competitive landline and wireless carriers are eligible for universal service subsidies. The KCC said it would rehear wireless carrier objections to requirements…
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that eligible telecom carriers (ETC) offer free optional blocking of usage- sensitive rates to Lifeline subscribers if they don’t provide an unlimited local calling plan and that they offer at least one rate plan without a termination charge. Wireless carriers said the provisions constituted unlawful state regulation of wireless rates and interstate communications. The KCC partly granted wireless carrier requests to rethink a rule requiring ETCs to include language describing their universal service obligations and KCC contact numbers in their advertising. The KCC said it has jurisdiction over wireless carrier advertising under consumer protection laws. But it agreed to consider an amendment applying the ad requirement only to print ads run in newspapers and magazines targeting an ETC’s universal service areas. The KCC (Case 06-GIMT-446-GIT) refused to reconsider a requirement that all competitive ETCs, including wireless, file annual service quality improvement plans. Carriers said the requirement is unfair because it isn’t asked of incumbent telcos. But the KCC said incumbents face quality standards and reporting requirements broader than those for competitive ETCs. It also refused to reconsider a rule giving Lifeline customers a choice of service plans. The KCC rejected carrier arguments that federal law limits Lifeline subsidies to the cheapest generally available rate plan, saying nothing in U.S. law or FCC policy bars states from expanding application of Lifeline discounts to more than one calling plan.