Press Release

PUC Adopts Proposed Policy on Telecommunications Carriers Providing Mixed-Use Services

Published on 11/8/2018

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) adopted a proposed policy statement affecting all Commission-certificated telecommunications carriers offering intrastate telecommunications services, whether on a retail and wholesale basis.

The Commission voted 5-0 to release for comment a proposed Policy Statement that adds a corresponding provision to Chapter 69 of the Commission’s regulations.  This proposed Policy Statement provides guidance to telecommunications carriers regarding their obligation under Section 510 of the Public Utility Code to report their intrastate operating revenues to the Commission to ensure that all certificated carriers cover their reasonable share of the operational costs incurred by the Commission in administering the Public Utility Code through an accurate allocation among those carriers and appropriate corresponding annual fiscal assessments.

The proposed Policy Statement clarifies that if any carrier is offering intrastate telecommunications public utility services in Pennsylvania, it is subject to an annual fiscal assessment based, in part, on its de facto intrastate revenues in order to determine its reasonable share of the cost of the Commission’s operations, and payment of that assessment as a condition of maintaining its Certificate of Public Convenience or license in Pennsylvania. 

Comments and reply comments from all stakeholders will be sought. This ensures that any issues about this policy statement can be properly considered in the proceeding.  

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

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Docket No. M-2018-3004578

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov