(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) The minimum
requirements for designation and maintenance of status as an eligible
telecommunications carrier include:
(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) ;
(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) ;
(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;
(d) satisfying applicable
consumer protection and service quality standards;
(e) offering a local usage
plan comparable to the one offered by the incumbent local exchange carrier; and
(f) demonstrating eligible
telecommunications carrier status is in the public interest.