The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has issued a "tentative" statement identifying specific areas of state regulation that might require alteration or adjustment under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
It emphasized that federal law appears to preempt its authority to restrict market entry on public interest grounds, but at the same time will impose "far-reaching" responsibilities regarding interconnection and universal service, plus activities "in areas and functions previously unknown to this Commission."
Among other things, it suggested converting all existing certificates to "registration statements," while opening a separate registration procedure for new competitors. Re Telecommunications Act of 1996, Docket No. M-00960799, March 14, 1996 (Pa.P.U.C.).
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