PR-11-06 -- PSC SEEKS COMMENTS ON ACCESS AND AVAILABILITY OF BROADBAND SERVICES

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- JULY 7, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission has opened a working docket to receive comments and information on access and availability of broadband services in the state.

Initial written comments by the public and interested broadband service providers will be accepted through July 23, 2010.

"Access to high-speed, broadband internet service is critical in the modern world of communications. It is of paramount importance that we know the availability of these services for Missouri consumers," said PSC Chairman Robert Clayton, who is also a member of a federal/state panel looking into this issue.

The Commission opened the docket in a response to a request by the Missouri Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment.

Among the issues the Commission will examine include:

• A review of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan and make recommendations to the General Assembly on how to maximize broadband development in Missouri;
• An assessment of the current level of high-speed internet access availability in Missouri, and the speeds and rates at which access is available;
• Identify unserved and underserved areas of the state and the barriers to deployment in these areas including economic, geographic, regulatory and market barriers; and
• Recommend potential public policy decisions that should be considered to increase the deployment and availability of broadband services in both unserved and underserved areas, within a period of five years at various speeds and rates that are affordable to Missouri’s consumers.

The public is welcome to file comments by using the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS) or by mailing written comments.

Electronic comments may be submitted by visiting the Commission’s website at http://www.psc.mo.gov. (Click on the EFIS/Case filings link on the left side of the page. Scroll down and click on the public comment link. Please reference case number TW-2010-0362.) Written comments in hard copy should be addressed to the Missouri Public Service Commission at P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 and should reference TW-2010-0362.

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Case No. TW-2010-0362