Telecommunications.

07LSO-0064.C1

FISCAL NOTE

The fiscal impact, in the form of changes in expenditures, is impossible to accurately estimate, but probably minor.

This bill would make major changes in the regulation of telecommunications in Wyoming.  It simplifies regulatory requirements in a number of ways and adds new regulatory considerations in a number of others.  Some of the bill’s major simplifications (e.g., the elimination of Total Service Long Run Incremental Cost-based pricing floors and the elimination of the prohibition on cross subsidization of services) are substantial, but compliance with them has already been accomplished by incumbent service providers.  They occupy little of the Public Service Commission’s time or resources.

Many informational filing requirements are eliminated concerning competitive services and the services of interexchange companies, but assisting consumers with complaints will take more time and effort to obtain the relevant data.  Telecommunications companies will enjoy downward pricing freedom, but the bill establishes new requirements for price increases over established levels.  The bill sets standards for switched access service pricing but also requires Commission approval of any plans regarding how the utility will make up the lost revenues from lowering access prices.  All of this makes it difficult to estimate the expenditure changes to be experienced.

Prepared by:   Dean Temte, LSO    Phone:   777-7881

(Information provided by Steve Oxley, PSC; phone 777-7427)