COM/CRC/hkr Date of Issuance 6/16/2008

Decision 08-06-020 June 12, 2008

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Rulemaking on the Commission's Own Motion to Review the Telecommunications Public Policy Programs.

Rulemaking 06-05-028
(Filed May 25, 2006)

INTERIM DECISION ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA TELECONNECT FUND, PAYPHONE ENFORCEMENT
AND PUBLIC POLICY PAYPHONE PROGRAMS,
AND THE DEAF AND DISABLED TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

INTERIM DECISION ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA TELECONNECT FUND, PAYPHONE ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY PAYPHONE PROGRAMS, AND THE DEAF AND DISABLED TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM 2 2

1. Summary 2 2

2. Background 2 2

3. Positions of the Parties 7 7

3.1. CTF 7 7

3.2. Payphone Programs 14 14

3.3. Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) 21 21

4. Discussion 22 22

4.1. CTF 22 22

4.2. Payphone Enforcement and Public Policy Payphone Programs 42 42

4.3. Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program 46 46

5. Comments on Proposed Decision 48 48

6. Assignment of Proceeding 53 53

Findings of Fact 53 53

Conclusions of Law 55 55

INTERIM ORDER 59 59

INTERIM DECISION ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA TELECONNECT FUND, PAYPHONE ENFORCEMENT
AND PUBLIC POLICY PAYPHONE PROGRAMS,
AND THE DEAF AND DISABLED TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM

1. Summary

This decision addresses four of the five Telecommunications Public Policy Programs at issue in this proceeding. Issues relating to the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program will be dealt with separately in a future decision. The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) is expanded to include community colleges, with an initial monetary cap of $7.2 million annually. An Office of CTF Outreach and Assistance is established. The CTF is made more competitively and technologically neutral. We further remove the tariff requirements related to CTF for non-rate-of-return carriers, and finally, ensure that all participants in the California Telehealth Network are eligible to receive CTF discounts.

The Payphone Enforcement Program is combined with our existing enforcement efforts. In addition, a Public Policy Payphone Program is reestablished, and we delegate to the Executive Director the task of establishing the most appropriate surcharge mechanism, including utilizing an existing program. The on-going wireless equipment pilot for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program will be monitored for further action as needed.