4927.02 State policy.

(A) It is the policy of this state to:

(1) Ensure the availability of adequate basic local exchange service to citizens throughout the state;

(2) Rely on market forces, where they are present and capable of supporting a healthy and sustainable, competitive telecommunications market, to maintain just and reasonable rates, rentals, tolls, and charges for public telecommunications service;

(3) Encourage innovation in the telecommunications industry;

(4) Promote diversity and options in the supply of public telecommunications services and equipment throughout the state;

(5) Recognize the continuing emergence of a competitive telecommunications environment through flexible regulatory treatment of public telecommunications services where appropriate;

(6) Consider the regulatory treatment of competing and functionally equivalent services in determining the scope of regulation of services that are subject to the jurisdiction of the public utilities commission;

(7) Not unduly favor or advantage any provider and not unduly disadvantage providers of competing and functionally equivalent services; and

(8) Protect the affordability of telephone service for low-income subscribers through the continuation of lifeline assistance programs.

(B) The public utilities commission shall consider the policy set forth in this section in carrying out sections 4927.03 and 4927.04 of the Revised Code and in reducing or eliminating the regulation of telephone companies under those sections as to any public telecommunications service.

Effective Date: 03-17-1989; 11-04-2005