3018 - Interexchange telecomminications carriers.

     § 3018.  Interexchange telecommunications carriers.        (a)  Competitive and noncompetitive services.--Interexchange     services provided by interexchange telecommunications carriers     shall be competitive services.        (b)  Rate regulation.--            (1)  The commission may not fix or prescribe the rates,        tolls, charges, rate structures, rate base, rate of return,        operating margin or earnings for interexchange competitive        services or otherwise regulate interexchange competitive        services except as set forth in this chapter.            (2)  An interexchange telecommunications carrier may file        and maintain tariffs or price lists with the commission for        competitive telecommunications services.            (3)  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit        the authority of the commission to regulate the privacy of        interexchange service and the ordering, installation,        restoration and disconnection of interexchange service to        customers.        (c)  Reclassification.--The commission may reclassify     telecommunications services provided by an interexchange     telecommunications carrier as noncompetitive if, after notice     and hearing, it determines, upon application of the criteria set     forth in this chapter, that sufficient competition is no longer     present.        (d)  Construction.--Nothing in this chapter shall be     construed:            (1)  To limit the authority of the commission to resolve        complaints regarding the quality of interexchange        telecommunications carrier service.            (2)  To limit the authority of the commission to        determine whether an interexchange telecommunications carrier        should be extended the privilege of operating within this        Commonwealth or to order the filing of such reports,        documents and information as may be necessary to monitor the        market for and competitiveness of interexchange        telecommunications services.     (Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1398, No.183, eff. imd.)        2004 Amendment.  Act 183 added section 3018.