Effective 28 Aug 1996

392.455. Commission to establish certification process. — Upon enactment of this section, the commission shall immediately begin a proceeding to establish a basic local telecommunications certification process. The commission may grant certificates to new entrants to provide basic local telecommunications service on a common carriage basis, subject to the provisions of sections 392.380 and 392.390. In order to preserve and advance universal service, protect the public safety and welfare, insure the continued quality of telecommunications services and safeguard the rights of consumers, such process shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) A requirement that the applicant possess sufficient technical, financial and managerial resources and abilities to provide basic local telecommunications service;

(2) A requirement that the applicant demonstrate that the services it proposes to offer satisfy the minimum standards established by the commission;

(3) A requirement that the applicant set forth the geographic area in which it proposes to offer service and demonstrate that such area follows exchange boundaries of the incumbent local exchange telecommunications company and is no smaller than an exchange;

(4) A requirement that all providers must offer basic local telecommunications service as a separate and distinct service;

(5) A requirement that the commission give due consideration to the equitable access for all Missourians, regardless of where they live or their income, to affordable telecommunications services.

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(L. 1996 S.B. 507)