Gulf State Regulators Tackling Hurricane Issues

State commissions in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas are starting to tackle the regulatory aftermath of this summer's hurricanes, as telecom carriers continue to restore service and rebuild destroyed facilities. Regulators in states hardest hit by Katrina and Rita are focusing on recovery. Regulators face major questions: 1) What relief, such as waiver of deposits and installation charges, to provide phone customers affected by the storms. 2) Whether to waive service standards such as those for timely installation and repair until carriers have restored service and replaced wrecked facilities. 3) Whether to allow regulated carriers a temporary local rate increase or surcharge so they can recover some storm-caused extraordinary and unexpected costs. 4) Whether networks should be restored to prestorm status, or carriers encouraged to replace wholesale older wires, cables and switches with the latest fiber and digital technologies. 5) What, if anything, states can do to reduce telephone carriers' near-total dependence on commercial electric power to keep outside plant facilities such as cellular towers and loop carrier terminals operating. 6) How to use state rules to aid electronic communications among emergency responders and prevent breakdowns. Some issues have seen fast action; others won't be faced for some time.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Herb Kirchhoff]
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