§ 23-17-402 - Legislative findings. - Arkansas Statutes

23-17-402. Legislative findings.

It is the intent of the General Assembly in enacting this subchapter to:

(1) Provide for a system of regulation of telecommunications services, consistent with the federal act, that assists in implementing the national policy of opening the telecommunications market to competition on fair and equal terms, modifies outdated regulation, eliminates unnecessary regulation, and preserves and advances universal service;

(2) Recognize that a telecommunications provider that serves high-cost rural areas or exchanges faces unique circumstances that require special consideration and funding to assist in preserving and promoting universal service; and

(3) (A) Recognize differences between the small and large incumbent local exchange carriers, that there are customer-owned telephone cooperatives and small locally owned investor companies, and that it is appropriate to provide incentives and regulatory flexibility to allow incumbent local exchange carriers that serve the rural areas to provide existing services and to introduce new technology and new services in a prompt, efficient, and economical manner.

(B) The General Assembly finds that the commission, when promulgating rules and regulations, should take into consideration the differences in operating conditions in the large and small incumbent local exchange carriers and the burdens placed on small carriers because of regulation.