[§269-35]  Universal service. The commission shall preserve and advance universal service by:

(1)  Maintaining affordable, just, and reasonablerates for basic residential service;

(2)  Assisting individuals or entities who cannotafford the cost of or otherwise require assistance in obtaining or maintainingtheir basic service or equipment as determined by the commission; and

(3)  Ensuring that consumers are given the informationnecessary to make informed choices among the alternative telecommunicationsproviders and services. [L 1995, c 225, pt of §2]