2. Background

In prior decisions, we authorized the provision of competitive interexchange services by carriers meeting specific criteria via the application process. In addition, we authorized the provision of competitive local exchange service carriers meeting specific criteria, within the service territories of Pacific Bell Telephone Company, Verizon California Inc., SureWest Telephone Company, and Citizens Telecommunications Company of California Inc.

Subsequently, in 1997 the application process for telephone carriers seeking authority to provide non-dominant resold local exchange and interexchange services within California was replaced with a simplified registration process, consisting of ten questions listed on a "Form of Application for Registration" (Registration Form). The questions sought to obtain the identity of the carrier, place of business, proposed service area, type of organizational structure, types of service to be offered, proof of requisite financing, and declaration that no principal owning 10% or more of the carrier has been the subject of a civil or criminal court order as to Business Code infractions and that nether has any such principal been associated with any carrier that filed for bankruptcy.¹ An additional question on tariff exemptions was added to the registration form in 1998 pursuant to Decision (D.) 98-08-031.

¹ 73 CPUC2d (1997), at 288.