PR-09-69 -- PSC Grants CenturyTel Request For Competitive Classification In Some Of Its Exchanges

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- OCTOBER 23, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission has granted a CenturyTel of Missouri, LLC (CenturyTel) request for competitive classification for all of its business services, other than exchange access service, in its Ava, Cabool, Cassville, Crane, Exeter, Forsyth, Kimberling City, Mansfield, Marshfield, Rockaway Beach and Seymour exchanges.

Under competitive classification, CenturyTel will no longer be subject to price or rate regulation by the PSC in the exchanges listed above.  CenturyTel 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 CenturyTel’s October 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 determined based upon evidence in the case that the standard for competitive classification has been met and therefore the commission must grant the request.

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Case No. IO-2009-0124