A new Nev. phone deregulation bill would repeal a price cap schem...
A new Nev. phone deregulation bill would repeal a price cap scheme that has regulated rates of large incumbents there for 10 years. HB-518 would deregulate rates for all retail services other than basic exchange, which would stay under…
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a temporary cap. Basic exchange would be capped at current rates through July 2008, then deregulated. The bill would leave incumbents with fewer than 60,000 lines under their current rate of return regime, but would let those telcos petition the PUC for rate deregulation provided they face substantial competition. The PUC would have 180 days to act on such petitions; inaction would be deemed a denial. Deregulated incumbents could price their services to market without restriction, except that they would have to publicize rates and terms for basic services in some generally available manner. No tariffs or price lists would be required, but carriers would have to file an advice letter with the PUC describing rate and service changes when made. Financial reporting would be eliminated, except for filing an annual financial summary. The bill would retain the state universal service fund and authorize the PUC to keep assessing and collecting universal service fund contributions on telecom carriers. The bill’s first stop is the House Commerce & Labor Committee.