Agency Report to JCAR-Page 2
These rules address the responsibilities of providers of basic local exchange service that cease to
provide the service to any segment of end users or geographic area; go out of business; or, withdraw
from the state, including the transfer of customers to other providers and the reclaiming of unused
telephone numbers. Specifically, the rules address the roles and responsibilities of retail and
wholesale providers that are involved in interconnection disputes with each other, which may result in
the disconnection of end-user customers.
If a wholesale provider cuts off service to a retail provider for non-payment of a
charge, for example, that action could result in the disruption of service to the end user
as well, if the end user is not given sufficient advanced warning to seek another retail
provider. These re-promulgated rules ensure that both the PSC and affected customers
receive adequate notice of an impending discontinuance of service from a wholesale
provider and/or a retail provider. The rules also assist the PSC in attempts to resolve disputes
between providers by requiring that the notice to the PSC contain certain information. The rules also
address the reclamation of phone numbers used by a provider
that ceases to provide service.
In addition to re-promulgating this ruleset, the PSC proposes three minor changes. Two of the
proposed changes are updates to CFR cites: R 484.1005(4) will be revised to change the “(2016)” to
“(2018),” and R 484.1006(1) will be revised to reflect the same change. Additionally, R 484.1005
will be revised to add a new subsection (5) and the remainder of that rule will be renumbered. The
new subsection (5) will state “(5) If the provider fails to provide the notice under subrule (4) by the
11th business day, the Commission may post a notice of the discontinuance on its website.” While
the issue was resolved without disconnection, based upon its experience with a provider who failed to
make the required notice under R 484.1005(4), the PSC has determined that this addition to the rule
will be beneficial by allowing the PSC to post the notice on its website and potentially make
customers aware that a provider is about to cease to provide service.
4. Summary of proposed rules:
This is a re-promulgation of existing rules. The rules address the responsibilities of providers of basic
local exchange service that cease to provide the service to any segment of end users or geographic
area, go out of business, or withdraw from the state, including the transfer of customers to other
providers and the reclaiming of unused telephone numbers. Specifically, they address the roles and
responsibilities of retail and wholesale providers that are involved in interconnection disputes with
each other, which may result in the disconnection of end user customers.
For example, if a wholesale provider of basic local exchange service cuts off service to a retail
provider for non-payment of a charge, that action could result in the disruption of service to the end
user of the retail provider as well, if the end user is not given sufficient advance warning to seek
another retail provider. The targeted behavior is the loss of telephone service to a customer, including
9-1-1 and emergency service, when that customer has not been given sufficient information and
advance warning that the customer should seek service elsewhere.
5. List names of newspapers in which the notice of public hearing was published and
publication dates:
MCL 24.242 and 24.245
