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Texas Utilities Code - UTIL § 56.021. Universal Service Fund Established

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

The commission shall adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange companies to establish a universal service fund to:

(1) assist telecommunications providers in providing basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high cost rural areas under two plans:

(A) the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.403); and

(B) the Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Company Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.404);

(2) reimburse the telecommunications carrier that provides the statewide telecommunications relay access service under Subchapter D;  1

(3) finance the specialized telecommunications assistance program established under Subchapter E;  2

(4) reimburse the department and the commission for costs incurred in implementing this chapter and Chapter 57;

(5) reimburse a telecommunications carrier providing lifeline service as provided by 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E, as amended;

(6) finance the implementation and administration of the identification process under Section 17.007 for telecommunications services;

(7) reimburse a designated provider under Subchapter F;  3

(8) reimburse a successor utility under Subchapter G;  4 and

(9) finance the program established under Subchapter H. 5

1 V.T.C.A., Utilities Code § 56.101 et seq.
2 V.T.C.A., Utilities Code § 56.151 et seq.
3 V.T.C.A., Utilities Code § 56.201 et seq.
4 V.T.C.A., Utilities Code § 56.251 et seq.
5 V.T.C.A., Utilities Code § 56.301 et seq.
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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Utilities Code - UTIL § 56.021. Universal Service Fund Established - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/utilities-code/util-sect-56-021/

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