11. Criteria for Commission Approval
of a Carrier's Termination of Service

A CLEC must continue providing local exchange service until its application to withdraw service is approved by the Commission. In deciding whether to approve a CLEC's application, we consider the progress made toward migrating customers, the availability of alternatives, and the nature of the customer base that is in jeopardy of losing local service.

By this application, Applicant and its arranged carrier seek to integrate and streamline their affiliated local telephone exchange companies as well as their respective local residential services portfolios. According to Applicant, the integration of affiliated companies and service portfolios will provide the opportunity for the post-merger AT&T to better provision and serve California residential customers in its service area on a single, operational platform while offering new products and services from the new, combined company.

Applicant has been gradually transitioning its more than 240,000 customers, who have not chosen another local exchange provider, to AT&T California's local service network, billing, and operational platforms. Those customers who have not switched to another local carrier should easily be able to obtain alternate local service. Also, as stated herein, Applicant has arranged with its affiliate to serve any of the remaining customers who have not selected another carrier. We find no reason to deny Applicant's request to discontinue service.