State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Wisconsin > 196 > 196.198

196.198

196.198 Local measured telecommunications service.

196.198(1)

(1) In this section, "extended community telephone service" means a telecommunications service by which a customer in one exchange may call a customer in another exchange or combination of exchanges under a discounted toll charge plan.

196.198(2)

(2)

196.198(2)(a)

(a) Except as provided in sub. (3), a telecommunications utility that has more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state or a telecommunications provider that has more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state may not charge a residential customer for basic local exchange service based on the duration of a call or on the time of day that a call is made. This paragraph does not apply to an extended community telephone service.

196.198(2)(b)

(b) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit a price-regulated telecommunications utility from offering discounts based on the time of day that a call is made if the price-regulated telecommunications utility also offers basic local exchange service at a rate permitted under s. 196.196 (1).

196.198(3)

(3) The commission may suspend the application of sub. (2) (a) in a particular geographical area for a telecommunications utility or a telecommunications provider if, after a contested case hearing, the commission determines that all of the following apply:

196.198(3)(a)

(a) Failure to suspend the application of sub. (2) (a) makes competition in that geographical area impractical.

196.198(3)(b)

(b) Suspending the application of sub. (2) (a) is beneficial to all of the following groups:

196.198(3)(b)1.

1. Residential customers in general.

196.198(3)(b)2.

2. Disabled customers.

196.198(3)(b)3.

3. Elderly customers.

196.198 - ANNOT.

History: 1993 a. 496.