Committee approves telecom rule changes; printed telephone-directory requirement removed

The committee approved Document 52-67, a set of telecommunications-regulation updates that delete obsolete provisions, align state rules with federal certification requirements and remove a requirement that telephone utilities publish printed directories. The regulation was approved by roll call, 7-0.

Presenter Jocelyn Boyd summarized the changes: repeal of rules tied to a now-repealed advisory committee for statewide telecommunications relay access service; deletion of link-up services no longer part of the federal lifeline program; alignment of eligible-telecommunications-carrier certification with the Code of Federal Regulations; removal of the printed-directory requirement; and application of code section 34-31-20 when a company willfully overcharges a customer.

Balen Moore, representing South Carolina Rural Telephone Companies, told the committee that printing paper directories can be costly for rural carriers and said the cost can exceed $30,000 per year per company. Moore and other industry participants supported deleting the printed requirement and noted the regulation would require companies to provide a digital directory and to supply a paper copy upon consumer request.

Moore asked the committee to consider an affirmative resolution to make the regulation effective this year because the regular cycle would not permit the change before carriers would otherwise be required to print this year's directories. Staff explained obtaining such a resolution would require a two-thirds vote and the committee agreed to address that in a future full meeting. The committee approved Document 52-67 as presented.

Votes at a glance: Document 52-67 approved by roll call: Mister Anderson — yes; Mister Guffey — yes; Mister Hartz — yes; Mister Martin — yes; Mister Neece — yes; Mister Tipple — yes; Mister Bradley — yes.