COM/SK1/TJS/hkr Mailed 2/18/2003
Decision 03-02-029 February 13, 2003
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Implement 2-1-1 Dialing in California. |
Rulemaking 02-01-025 (Filed January 23, 2002) |
DECISION ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
FOR IMPLEMENTING 2-1-1 DIALING IN CALIFORNIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
DECISION ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
FOR IMPLEMENTING 2-1-1 DIALING IN CALIFORNIA 22
III. Background Information and Issues 66
IV. What Authority, if Any, Does the Commission Have
to Implement 2-1-1 Dialing and Address Nonconforming
Use of the 2-1-1 Abbreviated Dialing Code? 88
V. Are the Proposed Guidelines and Application Package
Attached as Appendix A of R.02-01-025 Consistent
With the Public Interest? 1111
VI. Should the Commission Require All Local Exchange Carriers
to Tariff 2-1-1 Service? And 1414
What Rules and Regulations Should the Commission Adopt
to Ensure That 2-1-1 Dialing Is Implemented
for All Californians in Furtherance of the Public Interest? 1414
VII. Comments on Draft Decision 3737
VIII. Assignment of Proceeding 3939
APPENDIX A: Guidelines for CPUC Staff Review
2-1-1 California Service Provider Application
APPENDIX B: Service List
DECISION ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
FOR IMPLEMENTING 2-1-1 DIALING IN CALIFORNIA
I. Summary
This decision adopts the regulatory policies and procedures needed to implement 2-1-1 dialing, whereby Californians can obtain information about, and referral to, community social services via the 2-1-1 abbreviated dialing code. The regulations adopted here conform to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) delegation of authority to the states and will result in a program that resembles those already adopted in other states.
The decision establishes guidelines and procedures whereby the Commission can certify information and referral (I&R) providers as eligible to purchase network telephone service that will enable them to receive calls from those who dial 2-1-1. The decision requires all local exchange carriers to provide 2-1-1 call origination services at reasonable rates in those territories that will be served by 2-1-1 I&R providers. Consistent with our Scoping Memo, we do not address the situation of wireless carriers.
Consistent with FCC rules and the public interest, payphone operators in those territories receiving 2-1-1 service must discontinue any incompatible use of 2-1-1 dialing and must route calls to I&R providers. In addition absent FCC clarification of the appropriate price for 211 calls dialed from payphones, we do not mandate a price for these calls. We note that calls routed as 8YY calls will be compensated under existing FCC policies. No pay phone should be compensated twice for a single call. We urge all payphone operators to recognize that 211 calls are, in many cases, an alternative to 911 calls, and we urge them to refrain from charging callers dialing 211.
The decision permits I&R providers to secure 2-1-1 call origination service from incumbent carriers using the architecture of their choice. I&R providers, on the other hand, must secure an 8YY number and 800 service for call routing by payphone operators or competitive local exchange carriers who prefer to use this network architecture to provide 2-1-1 call origination services.
To speed implementation, we establish a series of deadlines and milestones for securing the timely and smooth implementation of 2-1-1 I&R services. Finally, we provide for rescission of the certification of a 2-1-1 I&R service provider upon its failure to introduce this 2-1-1 service within a year of the Commission's granting of the necessary approvals needed to implement this service. Such approvals will be deemed complete upon Commission certification of I&R providers and the approval of 2-1-1 origination service.
