South Carolina § 58-9-575 - Alternative means of regulating telephone utilities.

§ 58-9-575. Alternative means of regulating telephone utilities.

(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 58-9-570, in fixing rates and charges for a local exchange telephone utility, the commission may, upon the request of the telephone utility or upon motion of the Office of Regulatory Staff, consider in lieu of the procedures provided in this chapter, alternative means of regulating the telephone utility. If the commission determines that a local exchange telephone utility is subject to competition with respect to its services, the commission may implement regulatory alternatives including, but not limited to, equitable sharing of earnings between a local exchange telephone utility and its customers, consistent with the provisions of Section 58-9-330.

(B) The commission shall review and may authorize implementation of an alternative regulatory plan under subsection (A) if it finds after notice and hearing that the substantial evidence of record shows that the plan:

(1) is consistent with the public interest;

(2) does not jeopardize the availability of reasonably affordable and reliable telecommunications services;

(3) provides clearly identifiable benefits to consumers that are not otherwise available under existing regulatory procedures;

(4) will reduce regulatory delay and costs;

(5) provides adequate safeguards to consumers of telecommunications services, including other telecommunications companies, when such services are not readily available from alternative suppliers in the relevant geographic market;

(6) includes effective safeguards to assure that rates for noncompetitive services do not subsidize the prices charged for competitive services. In determining whether a service is competitive, the commission shall consider, at a minimum, the availability, market share, and price of comparable service alternatives;

(7) assures that rates for noncompetitive services are just, reasonable, or not unduly discriminatory and provide a contribution to basic local telephone service; and

(8) does not jeopardize the ability of the telephone utility to provide quality, affordable telecommunications service.

(C) The commission may, on the motion of the Office of Regulatory Staff or any interested party, review any decision adopting an alternative method of regulation for a local exchange telephone utility. After notice and opportunity to be heard and upon a showing by substantial evidence, the commission may impose regulatory standards consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 347, SECTION 1, eff April 20, 1994; 2006 Act No. 318, SECTION 46, eff May 24, 2006.