V. Conclusions

While we have had to base many of our determinations on estimates, we do not wish to delay this process further by performing more painstaking and time-consuming analyses that might better inform our decisions. Pacific is anxious to complete this component of their quest into the long distance market, we are anxious to bring enhanced competition to California, and a performance incentives plan is an essential part of that effort. We adopt a plan that is based on Pacific's plan because we find it to be more stable and functionally appropriate. We have made many modifications to the plan to better follow the criteria we have discussed in this decision. We offer this plan to the parties so that they may get on with the business of providing competitive phone services to California residents. We do not assert that the plan could not be improved each additional day we delay to further develop the analyses on which it is based. In this regard, we ask that parties be very clear on whether they wish to go forward with this plan on a six-month initial implementation basis, or if they wish to assist us with further development and refinement before any implementation.

However, we believe this plan is sufficient and appropriate to give the ILECs incentives to provide non-discriminatory OSS access. We anticipate enhancements and refinements to this plan as a result of the experience and insights gained during and beyond the six-month initial implementation. In fact, we expect that the first review after the six-month initial implementation will be followed by regular periodic reviews and modifications. While this plan likely can be improved, as any state plan now in existence can be improved, it is more important to recognize that the plan is sufficient and that any instant improvements are not as important as bringing the benefits of a more competitive market to California's citizens.