Case 05-C-0616

The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) is seeking the views of the public concerning the Commission's broad examination of its telecommunications policies, practices, and rules in light of rapidly changing technology and competitive marketplace advances, including the emergence of Internet and cable-based telephone services. This initiative is the result of increasing competition in the telecommunications marketplace, in addition to the rapid and continuing changes in law, technology, market structure, and customer expectations. The Commission's goal in its proceeding is to establish a flexible regulatory framework that promotes innovation and encourages economic investment in the state's telecommunications infrastructure.

The Commission invites the public to participate in a series of educational forums and public statement hearings regarding this initiative. The Commission intends to seek a broad range of views on these issues to help guide its decision-making process, and is particularly interested in hearing from consumers in regions of the state where competitive choices may be limited. This proceeding will result in the adoption of policies designed to foster and encourage the delivery of the benefits of competitive markets to all telecommunications consumers, while ensuring that telecommunications services remain adequate, just, and reasonable.

Background on PSC Proceeding: In June, the Commission announced that it was undertaking a re-examination of its telecommunications policies, practices and rules. New York has long been on record stating its strong preference for competitive markets as the most effective approach to ensure the provision of reasonably priced and reliably provided telecommunications services. The Commission also recognized that during the transition to competitive markets, the degree of regulation needs to be flexible. Where competition is robust, regulatory restraint is the best approach; where it is not, some intervention may be required to restrain the exercise of market power and to ensure adequate consumer protections. The Commission's approach has been designed to ensure consumer protection while maximizing competitive benefits.

Public Involvement Events: The Commission will hold seven educational forums and public statement hearings and four roundtable discussions across the State during September and October.

• Educational Forums: At each educational forum, Department staff will summarize the purpose of the initiative, discuss questions posed by the Commission and review the white paper prepared by staff. There will be time to ask questions of staff.

• Public Statement Hearings: Following each forum, consumers will have the opportunity to make comments before an Administrative Law Judge at a public statement hearing. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearings. Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak. The hearing will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements are made. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the formal record of this proceeding.

• Roundtables: Invitations to consumer roundtables discussions have been extended to community leaders. The roundtables are designed to facilitate discussions regarding an appropriate regulatory framework in regions of the state where competitive choices for telephone service may be limited. If members of the public want to participate in the roundtable discussions, they may express in attending via the "PSC Comment Form" in the "Contact Us" file accessed through the homepage of the Commission's consumer Web site,

http://www.AskPSC.com or by leaving a message on the Commission's toll-free Consumer Information line at 1-877-772-2789.

 

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Department of Public Service's Human Resource Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TTD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York RelayService at 711 to reach the Department of Public Service's Human Resources Office, or a representative of a TTD user may call the office collect at the previously mentioned number.

The public involvement events will be held as follows:

Persons not wishing to speak, or who are unable to attend the public events, may comment on the staff's recommendations:

In Writing:

In addition to attending the hearing, or as an alternative, persons may mail comments to Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Your comments should refer to "Case 05-C-0616."

Via PSC's Toll-free Opinion Line:

You may call the Commission's Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Callers should select English or Spanish and press "2" to leave comments about the case.

Via The Internet:

You may also comment via the "PSC Comment Form" link in the "Contact Us" file accessed through the homepage of the Commission's consumer Web site, http://www.AskPSC.com. Many libraries offer free Internet access.

All statements and comments received by the Commission through any of these methods will be placed in the public case file and be made available for public inspection in the Commission's file room. The public file can be viewed online at http://www.dps.state.ny.us or at the Commission's Offices, Central Files, 14th Floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY.