Alabama § 37-4-103 - Hearing Upon Application for Certificate; Notice; Issuance of Certificate; Factors Considered in Determining Whether to Issue Certificate.

§ 37-4-103. Hearing Upon Application for Certificate; Notice; Issuance of Certificate; Factors Considered in Determining Whether to Issue Certificate.

(a) Upon the filing of an application for such certificate, the commission shall fix the time and place for a hearing thereon and shall cause notice thereof to be given to such parties in interest as the commission may deem necessary. In the event the applicant proposes to interconnect its radio utility system with the communication system of an existing landline telephone or telegraph company, then notice of such hearing and a copy of said application shall be served upon said telephone or telegraph utility. The commission shall also cause notice of the application to be published once at least 14 days prior to the hearing in some newspaper of general circulation in the affected territory.

(b) After such hearing, the commission may issue to the applicant a certificate of public convenience and necessity in a form to be prescribed by it or may refuse to issue the same or may issue it for only partial exercise of the privilege sought, or may attach to the exercise of the right granted by the certificate such terms, limitations and conditions which it deems the public interest may require. The certificate shall include a copy of a service area map clearly showing the territory in which the radio utility system is to be constructed, extended, operated or acquired.

(c) In determining whether a certificate shall be issued, the commission shall take into consideration, among other things, the public need for the proposed service or acquisition, the suitability of the applicant, the financial responsibility of the applicant, and the ability of the applicant to perform efficiently the service for which authority is requested.