Colorado Public Utilities Commission Issues Decision on Proposed Telecommunications Rule Amendments

Strategic Insights -

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (Commission) has issued a decision on the proposed amendments to the telecommunications rules, implementing House Bill 23-1051. The amendments aim to extend the high-cost support mechanism (HCSM) funding for rural telecommunications providers, ensure the continued availability of affordable and reliable telecommunications and broadband services for rural communities, and update the rules to reflect the changes in the Colorado statute.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commission proposes updating the expiration date of the HCSM funding for rural providers to September 1, 2024, in subparagraph (b)(I) of Rule 2846.
  • The proposed rules include establishing that in 2024, the Commission will allocate 100 percent of the HCSM money collected (minus the Commission's administrative costs and distributions to wireline and wireless rural telecommunication providers) to the broadband deployment account.
  • The proposed rule changes reflect the changes to Colorado statute realized by the enactment of HB 23-1051.
  • The Commission encourages and invites public comment on all proposed rules, requesting that commenters propose any changes in legislative redline format.
  • A hearing on the proposed rules and related matters is scheduled for December 18, 2023.
  • Interested persons may submit written comments before the hearing, with initial pre-filed comments due on November 22, 2023, and any pre-filed comments responsive to the initial comments due on December 4, 2023.

Statistics:

  • The HCSM currently supports 12 rural telecommunications providers.
  • The HCSM funding is set to expire on December 1, 2023, but the proposed rule changes extend the support period to September 1, 2024.
  • The Commission will allocate 100 percent of the HCSM money collected (minus the Commission's administrative costs and distributions to wireline and wireless rural telecommunication providers) to the broadband deployment account in 2024.
  • The proposed rule changes reflect the changes to Colorado statute realized by the enactment of HB 23-1051.

Sources:

  • Decision No. C23-0730, Proceedings No. 23R-0522T, NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING, mailed date: October 30, 2023.
  • House Bill 23-1051, Section 40-15-208, C.R.S.
  • 4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-2, Rule 2846.