Sub. S.B. 271 Summary

• Creates new classification of "fully competitive incumbent local exchange carriers" that can withdraw basic local exchange service with 90 days' notice after July 1, 2013 or 2014 (depending on exchange area qualification), subject to notification requirements for the Public Utilities Commission, consumers' counsel, affected customers, and the public.

• Permits all telephone companies to withdraw telecommunications services (other than basic local exchange service for non-fully-competitive carriers) with 30 days' notice, and allows complete service abandonment with 30 days' notice to the commission, customers, and wholesale providers.

• Exempts fully competitive incumbent local exchange carriers from operational standards in Section 4927.08 (service quality, installation timeframes, outage repair requirements) and universal service obligations in Section 4927.11 (requirement to serve all requesting customers).

• Allows other telephone companies providing basic local exchange service in the same exchange area as a fully competitive incumbent local exchange carrier to be exempted from Section 4927.08 standards on the applicable withdrawal date.

• Directs the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules within 120 days addressing situations where service withdrawal leaves customer locations without comparable alternatives, establishing a competitively and technologically neutral process for service provision without imposing funding mechanisms or mandatory carrier obligations.