The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court, issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Regulatory Bulletin.

TELECOM

Georgia

The PSC suspended AT&T’s effort to reclassify its Marietta Main Wire Center effective August 30, 2014. The suspension will provide time for Staff to verify AT&T’s non-impairment analysis. At the conclusion of Staff’s review, the PSC may consider a true-up of any revenue lost due to the delay in implementation. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 8/19/14.

Indiana

The all-services distributed overlay permissive 10-digit dialing period in the 812 NPA has been extended until otherwise ordered by the Commission. Mandatory dialing was scheduled to begin September 6, 2014. The Commission ordered the delay based on evidence that consumers and providers are behind on their preparations for the switch to mandatory 10-digit dialing. A technical conference to discuss the issues raised in the Order will be held on September 3, 2014. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 8/7/14.

Minnesota

The PUC has denied CenturyLink’s request for a variance of the service quality rules and modification of the company’s associated alternative form of regulation plan (AFOR) requirements. PUC rules governing out-of-service conditions require that a telephone utility reestablish service with the shortest possible delay and with a minimum objective to clear 95% of all out-of-service troubles within 24 hours of the time such troubles are reported. In May 2014 the Commission opened a proceeding to consider amending the service quality rules. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 8/7/14. CenturyLink asked that the out-of-service metric either be waived while the current rulemaking takes place, or be altered to an 85% standard during that time period. CenturyLink has filed a Petition for Reconsideration of the Commission’s Order arguing that the variance would be in the public interest and is consistent with applicable law.