Section 196.198. Local measured telecommunications service.

 

(1)  In this section, “extended community telephone service" means a telecommunications service by which a customer in one exchange may call a customer in another exchange or combination of exchanges under a discounted toll charge plan.

(2)  Except as provided in sub. (3) , a telecommunications utility that has more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state or a telecommunications provider that has more than 150,000 access lines in use in this state may not charge a residential customer for basic local exchange service based on the duration of a call or on the time of day that a call is made. This subsection does not apply to an extended community telephone service.

(3)  The commission may suspend the application of sub. (2) in a particular geographical area for a telecommunications utility or a telecommunications provider if, after a contested case hearing, the commission determines that all of the following apply:

(a) Failure to suspend the application of sub. (2) makes competition in that geographical area impractical.

(b) Suspending the application of sub. (2) is beneficial to all of the following groups:

1. Residential customers in general.

2. Disabled customers.

3. Elderly customers.

1993 a. 496 ; 2011 a. 22 .