PSC 160.13(6)(a)(a) The commission may only designate an additional eligible telecommunications carrier in an area where one has already been designated after finding that doing so is in the public interest. For an area served by an incumbent local exchange service provider that is not a rural telephone company, the commission may perform a less detailed public interest analysis than if the area is served by an incumbent local exchange service provider that is a rural telephone company.

PSC 160.13(6)(b)(b) In its public interest analysis under par. (a), the commission shall include consideration of all of the following:

PSC 160.13(7)(7) List of ETCs. The commission shall maintain a list of the eligible telecommunications carriers for all areas of the state.

PSC 160.13(8)(a)(a) An eligible telecommunications carrier may relinquish that designation for an area by notifying the commission and the administrators of both the state and federal universal service funds, in writing, of its intention.

PSC 160.13(8)(b)(b) If at least one other ETC is designated for that area, the relinquishing ETC shall be relieved of ETC status for that area, without commission action, on the later of 14 days after commission receipt of the notification or the effective date proposed by the provider.

PSC 160.13(8)(c)(c) If no other ETC is designated for that area, the relinquishing ETC shall remain as the ETC for that area until the commission designates an alternative ETC. In that case, the commission shall notify the relinquishing, ETC and the administrators of the state and federal funds, that ETC status is still in effect. The commission may use an auction or other reasonable process to designate a new ETC for an area for which the only existing ETC is seeking to relinquish that status. The commission may authorize compensation from the universal service fund as part of this process.

PSC 160.13(8)(d)(d) A provider may continue to furnish services in an area for which it has relinquished ETC status. If a provider seeks to abandon facilities or discontinue any service, it shall notify affected customers and follow any abandonment or discontinuance procedures required by the commission, Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the federal communications commission.

PSC 160.13(8)(e)(e) A federal-only eligible telecommunications carrier that is no longer eligible for that designation because it is no longer a wireless provider or because it wants to access state USF support may apply for a new ETC designation. The ETC’s federal-only ETC status remains in effect while the commission investigates and acts on the ETC’s new application.

PSC 160.13 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; r. and recr. Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; CR 13-068: r. and recr. Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16; correction in (3) (c) 1., (4) (a) 2., (c) 1., (5) (a) 2. a. made under under s. 35.17, Stats. Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.

PSC 160.16(1)(1) The commission shall designate the fund administrator and provide for an annual independent audit of the fund. The commission shall establish guidelines for administration and assignment of liabilities.

PSC 160.16(2)(2) The fund administrator may propose a change or modification to the mechanisms of administration of the fund. The commission may approve the request without hearing.

PSC 160.16(3)(3) The universal service fund shall compensate the administrator for the administrator’s costs of administering the fund as approved by the commission.

PSC 160.16 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; reprinted to restore dropped copy, Register, May, 1996, No. 485; r. (3) to (5), renum. (6) to be (3), Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; CR 13-068: am. (1), (2) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.

PSC 160.17(1)(1) At least annually, the commission shall set the budget for fund administration and the programs specified in s. PSC 160.05 (1). The commission may make adjustments to the budget as needed to address unforeseen circumstances. Adjustments may include:

PSC 160.17(1)(a)(a) Reallocating the budget among programs.

PSC 160.17(1)(b)(b) Modifying the support formulas or benefits within a program.

PSC 160.17(1)(c)(c) Deferring support payment decisions to a later period.

PSC 160.17(2)(2) At least annually, the commission, in consultation with the appropriate agencies, shall determine the amounts necessary for funding the payments specified in s. PSC 160.05 (2), (3), and (5) to (8).

PSC 160.17(3)(3) Based on the need for funds under subs. (1) and (2) and s. 196.218 (5) (a) 6., Stats., and subject to the appropriation amounts in ch. 20, Stats., the commission shall determine the assessment rates to apply to providers. The commission may modify the assessment rates at any time based on changes in funding needs or provider revenues subject to assessment.

PSC 160.17(4)(4) The commission shall provide notice of the proposed budget under sub. (1) to the universal service fund council and other interested persons with an opportunity for comment prior to commission action.

PSC 160.17 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; emerg. am. eff. 2-27-98; r. and recr. (1), r. (2), renum. (3) to be (4) and am., cr. (2) and (3), Register, October, 1998, No. 514, eff. 11-1-98; CR 13-068: am. (1) (c), (2), (4) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.

PSC 160.18(1)(1) Each assessed provider shall pay the amount of its assessment to the universal service fund. Assessed providers include all telecommunications providers operating within Wisconsin, except those with intrastate gross telecommunications revenues of less than $200,000 during the preceding calendar year.