The Missouri Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned electric, steam, natural gas, water and sewer and telephone companies. Its mission is to ensure Missouri consumers have access to safe, reliable and reasonably priced utility service while allowing those utility companies under our jurisdiction an opportunity to earn a reasonable return on their investment. The PSC also regulates manufacturers and retail dealers who sell new and used manufactured homes and modular units. The commission was established in 1913. The PSC is comprised of five commissioners, who are appointed by the governor.
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PR-08-26 -- PSC Grants Embarq Request For Competitive Classification In Its Lebanon Exchange
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- AUGUST 14, 2007
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission has granted an Embarq Missouri, Inc. (Embarq) request for competitive classification for residential services, other than exchange access service, in its Lebanon exchange.
Under competitive classification, Embarq will no longer be subject to price or rate regulation by the PSC for its residential services in the Lebanon exchange. Embarq will be permitted to raise or lower its telephone prices at its own discretion, subject to the marketplace. The PSC will continue to regulate quality of service, service termination and other billing issues.
In this case, state law requires the Commission to issue its decision within 30 days of Embarq’s July 25, 2007, filing. Under the law, the 30-day criteria for determining competitive classification is based upon the existence of two other non-affiliated entities providing basic local telecommunications service. One entity may be a wireless provider, the other a wireline company that is providing local voice service using facilities that it has a partial or full ownership interest.
The Commission reviewed information filed by Embarq as well as the PSC Staff recommendation for approval. Based upon that information, the Commission found that for residential customers in the Lebanon exchange, there is at least one non-affiliated entity providing local voice service in whole or in part over facilities in which it, or one of its facilities, has an ownership interest (Fidelity Communications Services I, Inc.).
In addition, for residential customers in the Lebanon exchange, there is at least one non-affiliated wireless carrier providing basic local telecommunications services (including U.S. Cellular and Alltel Communications, Inc.).
“Therefore, the Commission concludes that Embarq’s application for competitive classification of its residential services, other than exchange access services, in the Lebanon exchange should be granted,” the Commission said.
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Case No. TO-2008-0028