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PR-08-179 -- PSC Grants Embarq Request For Competitive Classification In Some Of Its Exchanges
Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- JUNE 24, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission has granted an Embarq Missouri, Inc. (Embarq) request for competitive classification for all of its business services, other than exchange access service, in its Buckner, Odessa, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill and Salem exchanges. In addition, Embarq has been granted competitive classification for all of its residential services, other than exchange access service, in its Salem exchange.
Under competitive classification, Embarq will no longer be subject to price or rate regulation by the PSC for its business services, other than exchange access service, in its Buckner, Odessa, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill and Salem exchanges and for all of its residential services, other than exchange access service, in its Salem exchange. Embarq will be permitted to raise or lower telephone rates at its own discretion, subject to the marketplace.
In this case, state law requires the commission to issue its decision within 30 days of Embarq’s June 3, 2008 filing. Under the law, the 30-day criteria for determining competitive classification is based upon the existence of two other nonaffiliated entities providing basic local telecommunications service, one of which may be a wireless provider, the other a wireline company providing local voice service using facilities in which it has a partial or full ownership interest.
The commission reviewed information filed by Embarq as well as the PSC staff recommendation for approval and determined the request should be approved. The commission found that in each of the exchanges Embarq seeks competitive classification, there are two or more qualifying non-affiliated carriers providing basic local phone service to customers located within the exchanges.
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