The examination serves to test the Uniform Regulatory Framework (URF) instituted over a decade ago, which ultimately removed the need for CPUC rate and regulation under the conclusion that providers would offer fair services and the commission would continue to monitor any market changes.
Officially submitted in September, the investigation found both expected and unexpected data on the telecom market’s development, such as the rise of mobile technology and diminishing use of voice communication.
"In short, the market we envisioned in 2006 and 2008 is very different from the market that exists in 2016. As we anticipated, the traditional landline phone has given way to newer, mostly mobile, phone technology (although the newer, mobile technologies are not available in all areas of the state). What we did not anticipate is the evolution of the mobile phone from primarily a voice communications device to primarily an Internet portal in which voice is just one application among many. The creation of devices such as the iPhone, and the complementary development of the network from 2G to 3G to 4G LTE, have played a significant role in driving the demand behind this evolution."
Under the proceeding, communications providers in the state are instructed to submit to the CPUC annual reports on voice and broadband subscriber data and location information requested by the commission’s Communications Division.
The division would also be required to deliver a report by Dec. 1, 2018, analyzing voice and broadband service in the state, locate funding for a third-party consumer broadband speed, and mandate rulemaking on the examination of telecommunications access to certain infrastructure.
The California Public Utilities Commission referred Techwire to proceeding documents when asked for comment.
