2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES
Chapter 30 - Alternative Form of Regulation of Telecommunications Services
3011 - Declaration of policy.

     § 3011.  Declaration of policy.
        The General Assembly finds and declares that it is the policy
     of this Commonwealth to:
            (1)  Strike a balance between mandated deployment and
        market-driven deployment of broadband facilities and advanced
        services throughout this Commonwealth and to continue
        alternative regulation of local exchange telecommunications
        companies.
            (2)  Maintain universal telecommunications service at
        affordable rates while encouraging the accelerated provision
        of advanced services and deployment of a universally
        available, state-of-the-art, interactive broadband
        telecommunications network in rural, suburban and urban
        areas, including deployment of broadband facilities in or
        adjacent to public rights-of-way abutting public schools,
        including the administrative offices supporting public
        schools, industrial parks and health care facilities.
            (3)  Ensure that customers pay only reasonable charges
        for protected services which shall be available on a
        nondiscriminatory basis.
            (4)  Ensure that rates for protected services do not
        subsidize the competitive ventures of telecommunications
        carriers.
            (5)  Provide diversity in the supply of existing and
        future telecommunications services and products in
        telecommunications markets throughout this Commonwealth by
        ensuring that rates, terms and conditions for protected
        services are reasonable and do not impede the development of
        competition.
            (6)  Ensure the efficient delivery of technological
        advances and new services throughout this Commonwealth in
        order to improve the quality of life for all Commonwealth
        residents.
            (7)  Encourage the provision of telecommunications
        products and services that enhance the quality of life of
        people with disabilities.
            (8)  Promote and encourage the provision of competitive
        services by a variety of service providers on equal terms
        throughout all geographic areas of this Commonwealth without
        jeopardizing the provision of universal telecommunications
        service at affordable rates.
            (9)  Encourage the competitive supply of any service in
        any region where there is market demand.
            (10)  Encourage joint ventures between local exchange
        telecommunications companies and other entities where such
        joint ventures accelerate, improve or otherwise assist a
        local exchange telecommunications company in implementing its
        network modernization plan.
            (11)  Establish a bona fide retail request program to
        aggregate and make advanced services available in areas where
        sufficient market demand exists and to supplement existing
        network modernization plans.
            (12)  Promote and encourage the provision of advanced
        services and broadband deployment in the service territories
        of local exchange telecommunications companies without
        jeopardizing the provision of universal service.
            (13)  Recognize that the regulatory obligations imposed
        upon the incumbent local exchange telecommunications
        companies should be reduced to levels more consistent with
        those imposed upon competing alternative service providers.
     (Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1398, No.183, eff. imd.)

        2004 Amendment.  Act 183 added section 3011.