Section 3.53.705. Modernization requirements.

	(a)  A telecommunications provider shall design its telephone network to allow for the expeditious deployment and integration of emerging technologies as they become commercially feasible.  
	(b)  A telecommunications provider may develop affordable tariff rates specifically for medical links and distance learning services, provided that they comply with AS 42.05.361 - 42.05.421.  
	(c)  A telephone company shall provide reliable powering of ordinary voice telephone service operating over those portions of the telecommunications network that are not network powered.  
	(d)  After February 13, 1997, a telephone company shall only place  
		(1) new wireline facilities into service that can provide  
			(A) every subscriber with one-party service; and,  
			(B) as-built or with additional equipment, transmission and reception of data at a rate no lower than one megabit per second; and   
		(2) switching equipment into service that can provide  
			(A) custom-calling features that, at a minimum, include call waiting, call forwarding, abbreviated dialing, and three-way calling; and  
			(B) enhanced 911 service (E911 service) for areas served by the telephone company when requested by the governmental agency responsible for that service.  
	(e)  After February 13, 2003, a telephone company shall only place new wireline facilities into service that can provide, as-built or with additional equipment, the ability to transmit video capable of depicting a reasonable representation of motion.  
	(f)  By February 13, 2003, a  
		(1) telephone company shall provide  
			(A) service using switching equipment that can provide E911 service if requested by the governmental agency responsible for that service;  
			(B) one-party service upon demand to subscribers; and  
			(C) an end-to-end data transfer rate of no less that 28.8 kilobits per second; and   
		(2) telecommunications provider shall provide switched digital service that operates at a rate of at least 56 kilobits per second to any customer upon request.  
	(g)  A telecommunications provider shall work towards  
		(1) elimination of party-line service; and   
		(2) universal availability, upon request, of   
			(A) digital voice and data service of at least 56 - 164 kilobits per second;  
			(B) transmission and reception of high-bit-rate data at no less than 1 megabit per second; and  
			(C) reception of video as described in (e) of this section.  
	(h)  Compliance with the requirements of 3 AAC 53.700 - 3 AAC 53.720 may not be used to justify unreasonable or imprudent construction of facilities.  

Authorities

42.05.141;42.05.145;42.05.151;42.05.221;42.05.241;42.05.291;42.05.311;42.05.321;42.05.800

Notes

Reference

3 AAC 53.710

Authority

AS 42.05.141 AS 42.05.145 AS 42.05.151 AS 42.05.221 AS 42.05.241 AS 42.05.291 AS 42.05.311 AS 42.05.321 AS 42.05.800

History

Eff. 3/15/96, Register 137