CPUC to Weigh Extension in Text Messaging Classification Case
Commissioners plan to vote Dec. 13 on extending to June 29 the statutory deadline for its proceeding on whether text messaging is a telecom service subject to state USF and other surcharges (see 1805250033), said a California Public Utilities Commission…
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proposed decision posted Tuesday in rulemaking 17-06-023. At the meeting, CPUC members plan to vote on a draft decision in that docket to affirm text messaging is subject to the surcharges and open a second phase of the proceeding. The statutory deadline was Dec. 29, but CPUC wants to give “sufficient time to consider comments on the PD and issue a final decision,” it said. The Nov. 9 draft “finds it has authority to collect Public Purpose Program surcharges under the Commission’s All End User Surcharge Mechanism and Point of Sale Mechanism,” and “intrastate text messaging services revenue is subject to user fees.” Phase two is meant “to increase the consistency, transparency, and competitive neutrality of the Commission’s surcharge mechanisms, as well as to consider methods to update the list of surchargeable services in a timely manner,” it said. The meeting is one day after the FCC plans to vote on classifying wireless messaging as an information service (see 1811200048).