PR-08-51 -- PSC Sets Intervention Deadline In Spectra Competitive Classification Case

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- OCTOBER 12, 2007

    JEFFERSON CITY—The staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission has, as required by state law, conducted a review and filed a report regarding the competitive classification of those Spectra Communications Group, LLC d/b/a CenturyTel (Spectra)  exchanges that have been previously granted competitive status by the PSC.

    Currently Spectra has 13 exchanges with competitive classification for residential services and 4 exchanges with competitive classification for business services.  State law requires the commission to review within certain time frames if competitive conditions continue to exist in these exchanges. 

    In the PSC staff report, it states the conditions for competitive classification continue to exist in Spectra’s competitively classified exchanges.  Staff notes that there are at least two nonaffiliated entities providing local voice service within the exchange with one of those carriers providing local voice service within the exchange on either a full or partial facility basis.  In addition staff states Spectra has not increased basic local telecommunications service rates in competitively classified exchanges during the past two years. 

    Under state law, the commission is to review whether the competitive conditions continue to exist in a company’s competitively classified exchanges.  Such a review is to occur at least every two years or where the company increases rates for basic local telecommunications services.  If the commission determines competitive conditions do not exist within an exchange, the commission is to remove the exchange’s competitive classification.

    Applications to intervene and participate in this case must be filed on or before October 30, 2007, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102.  Copies of the application should be sent to: Spectra Communications Group, LLC, d/b/a CenturyTel, 220 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101; and the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230.

    The Office of the Public Counsel is a separate state agency that represents the general public in matters before the Commission.  Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230, telephone 573-751-4857, e-mail opcservice@ded.mo.gov) or the Public Service Commission staff (P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 1-800-392-4211, e-mail pscinfo@psc.mo.gov).

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Case No. IO-2008-0097