Vermont PUC Pitches Consolidated Pricing Plan
Consolidated Communications would get more pricing flexibility in Vermont under a proposed order Monday. The Vermont Public Utility Commission proposed a three-year incentive regulation plan for Consolidated Communications to replace an IRP that expires this year. "With appropriate conditions to…
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protect consumers ... alternative regulation will provide benefits to Vermont ratepayers,” said the draft order in docket 21-4060-PET. “Competitive alternatives for voice services have increased in Vermont since the Commission authorized the first IRP in 2000.” Wireless and VoIP competition increased "and Consolidated is now a minority provider in many areas, but not all,” it said. Under the new IRP, Consolidated could set its own basic local exchange service (BLES) rates “in areas where competition is sufficient to keep prices at just and reasonable levels,” said the proposed order. "To protect against a sudden increase in the rates for basic services, the Successor IRP includes stepped limits on rate increases over the three-year period of the Successor IRP." The PUC expects "the freedom provided in the Successor IRP will be an incentive for Consolidated to invest in its network and offer new and improved services to remain a viable option in competitive areas, resulting in benefits to its Vermont customers in both regulated and nonregulated municipalities,” the draft said.