Current through September, 2024
Section 6-80-113 - Customer rights in a competitive telecommunications market(a) In a competitive intrastate telecommunications market, customers, to the extent technically feasible, are entitled to the results enumerated below. A competitive intrastate telecommunications market is evolving and each of the enumerated results is to be achieved within a reasonable time frame. The results to which customers are entitled are: (1) Safe, adequate, and reliable telecommunications service, regardless of the carrier chosen or subscribed to by the customer;(2) Increased choice of telecommunications carriers and services;(3) Non-discriminatory access to the telecommunications carrier of the customer's choice without the need to dial additional digits or access codes;(4) Equal opportunity to access basic and advanced intrastate telecommunications services;(5) Quality services at prices comparable to current prices or less;(6) Access to a telecommunications network that is seamless and transparent; and(7) Basic, essential levels of telecommunications services to all residences and households of the State at affordable rates and pricing options, without undue discrimination.(b) The following are guides in the achievement of the results enumerated in subsection (a): (1) Competition must not threaten the safety or reliability of existing or future public utility services and facilities;(2) To the extent that competitive services are not available to all customers, barriers to competition that bar certain customers or classes of customers from access to such services must be removed; and(3) Customers with little or no market choice should be responsible only for an equitable share of costs arising from the restructuring of the telecommunications industry.[Eff ] (Auth: HRS §§ 269-6, 269-34 to 43) (Imp: HRS §§ 269-34 to 43, 47U.S.C. §251 )