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Public utilities

Brazoria Telephone Company to Discontinue Tariffed Wireline Broadband Internet Access Service

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has issued a notice by Brazoria Telephone Company announcing its intention to discontinue providing wireline broadband Internet access service (WBIAS) on a tariffed basis effective July 1, 2021. The company will instead offer WBIAS on a permissive detariffed common-carriage basis, as permitted by the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Broadband Order.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Brazoria Telephone Company has filed a notice with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discontinue its wireline broadband Internet access service (WBIAS) on a tariffed basis.
  • The company will cease to offer WBIAS under National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Tariff F.C.C. No. 5 effective July 1, 2021.
  • Upon discontinuance, WBIAS will be available on a common-carriage non-tariffed basis under rates, terms, and conditions posted on the company's website (www.btel.com).
  • The only customer affected by this change is the company's affiliate nonregulated Internet Service Provider (ISP) operation.
  • The company has provided a 30-day notice to the affiliate ISP and will post the rates, terms, and conditions on its website as required by the FCC's rules (47 C.F.R. § 42.10).
  • NECA will remove Brazoria Telephone Company from the list of issuing carriers offering ADSL and SDSL Access Service effective July 1, 2021.
  • The company has certified that the notice was served to the Secretary of Defense, the Governor of Texas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and the National Exchange Carrier Association on March 31, 2021.

Statistics:

  • The effective date for discontinuing WBIAS on a tariffed basis and initiating permissive detariffed common-carriage service is July 1, 2021.
  • The company will post rates, terms, and conditions on its website beginning July 1, 2021.
  • The company has provided a 30-day notice to the affiliate ISP, effective March 31, 2021.
  • The notice was served to multiple parties, including the Secretary of Defense and the Governor of Texas, on March 31, 2021.

Sources:

  • Public Utility Commission of Texas, Control Number: 42242, Item Number: 1139 (Addendum StartPage: 0)
  • Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 02-33, Wireline Broadband Order (2005)
  • National Exchange Carrier Association, Tariff F.C.C. No. 5 (NECA Tariff)
  • Brazoria Telephone Company, Notice of Permissive Detariffing of Wireline Broadband Internet Access Service (2021)

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