[§269-41]  Universal service program;
establishment; purpose; principles.  There is established the universal
service program.  The purpose of this program is to:



(1)  Maintain affordable, just, and reasonable rates
for basic residential telecommunications service, as defined by the commission;



(2)  Assist customers located in the areas of the
State that have high costs of essential telecommunications service, low-income
customers, and customers with disabilities, in obtaining and maintaining access
to a basic set of essential telecommunications services as determined by the
commission.  The commission may expand or otherwise modify relevant programs,
such as the lifeline program under section 269-16.5;



(3)  Ensure that consumers in all communities are provided
with access, at reasonably comparable rates, to all telecommunications services
which are used by a majority of consumers located in metropolitan areas of the
State.  The commission shall provide for a reasonable transition period to
support the statewide deployment of these advanced telecommunications services,
including, but not limited to, the use of strategic community access points in
public facilities such as education, library, and health care facilities;



(4)  Ensure that consumers are given the information
necessary to make informed choices among the alternative telecommunications
carriers and services; and



(5)  Promote affordable access throughout the State to
enhanced government information and services, including education, health care,
public safety, and other government services.



The commission shall administer the universal
service program, including the establishment of criteria by which the purposes
of the program are met. [L 1995, c 225, pt of §2]