TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION IN DELAWARE |
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- Role of the Commission
- Regulated Utilities
- Consumer Information
- Important or Pending Cases at the Commission
- Local, Regional, and National Issues
The role of the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) in the regulation of telecommunications has changed dramatically since passage of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, which opened local telephone service to competition. Today, there are dozens of local and long distance telephone providers under the jurisdiction of the PSC and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In many cases, the PSC does not determine rates, but does require a certification process to ensure companies have the financial, managerial, and technical means to provide services in Delaware. Surety and performance bonds may also be required to protect consumers when deposits or prepayments are required. The PSC also acts as an arbitrator in interconnection disputes between local exchange carriers. The Commission's authority to regulate telecommunications in Delaware is granted by 26 Delaware Code, Section 703.
The Commission is also responsible for the regulation of payphone service providers and providers of operator services for payphones. Regulations applicable to these providers were adopted June 4, 2002 by PSC Order No. 5965.
Wireless and cell phone services are regulated by the FCC, and are outside the jurisdiction of the Delaware Public Service Commission. Additionally, internet service providers (ISPs) are not regulated by either the state or the federal government; however, you may contact your state consumer protection office. If there is possible fraud involved, you may contact the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice's Internet Fraud Complaint Center.
The following pages provide information regarding how these companies are regulated, as well as a listing of certificated providers.
- Verizon Delaware, LLC. - Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC)
- Verizon's Local Exchange Tariff for Delaware [Note: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a direct link. The preceding link will direct you to a Verizon website with a map of the United States - click on the State of Delaware. On the next page, select "Effective Tariff" for "Verizon Telephone Operating Companies"]
- Verizon's additional local charges applicable to Delaware customers (courtesy of Verizon Delaware, Inc. and updated April 2007).
- Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) Other providers of local telephone services
- Interexchange Carriers (IXCs) Long distance companies
- For general consumer information, including how to file a complaint, please visit our Consumer Assistance page.
- Delaware Public Service Commission Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Verizon's Customer Support page provides a variety of tools for its customers, such as billing options and requesting repairs. Verizon Delaware, Inc. has also created a listing and description of charges applicable to its Delaware customers (updated May 2005).
- The following websites offer important consumer information about telecommunications issues:
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - The FCC is the primary regulatory body for telecommunication services. Complaints regarding wireless and cell phone service providers, which are not regulated by the Delaware PSC, should be filed with the FCC. Additionally, a number of consumer alerts and fact sheets relating to telecommunications are available on the FCC's website, including:
- Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) - Telephone services for hearing or speech disabled customers
- National Do-Not-Call Registry
- Slamming - When your telephone service is switched without your permission
- Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) - The USAC administers the Universal Service Fund (USF), which provides communities across the country with affordable telecommunication services. Visit the Lifeline and Link-Up for Verizon Customers in Delaware page for eligibility information and instruction for applying.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - The FCC is the primary regulatory body for telecommunication services. Complaints regarding wireless and cell phone service providers, which are not regulated by the Delaware PSC, should be filed with the FCC. Additionally, a number of consumer alerts and fact sheets relating to telecommunications are available on the FCC's website, including:
Visit the Regulated Utility Filings page for a listing of dockets, grouped by year and service type, opened by the Commission. Cases of significant importance or interest, such as rate cases, are also highlighted below.
All case related documents are available for review by appointment at the Commission Office in Dover, Delaware, or at the Office of the Public Advocate in Wilmington, Delaware.
- PSC Docket No. 96-324 ( Phase II): On July 22, 2004, Cavalier Telephone Mid-Atlantic, LLC filed a motion with the Delaware Public Service Commission to maintain the status quo in Delaware with respect to "hot cut" rates and to continue the indefinitely the current Verizon rate of $35 per hot cut.
- The case was assigned to a Hearing Examiner who issued a report on October 12, 2006. The PSC heard oral argument on November 21, 2006 from Verizon and Cavalier concerning their exceptions to the Hearing Examiners Report and proposed rates. The Commission deliberated and voted on the rates and other conditions after hearing the pleadings of the parties. On April, 24, 2007, the PSC signed Order 7166 which establishes permanent hot-cut rates and decided other contested issues. The new rates become effective May 14, 2007.
- PSC Docket No. 04-68: Verizon Delaware Inc. filed a petition on February 20, 2004, with the Commission requesting a consolidated arbitration proceeding to amend interconnection agreements between Verizon and numerous Competitive Local Exchange Carriers ("CLECs") and with certain Commercial Mobile Radio Service ("CRMS") providers in Delaware. This consociated proceeding was filed based on Verizon's interpretation of the directives of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") in its Triennial Review Order ("TRO").
On May 24th, 2005, a motion filed by a group of Competitive Carriers to consolidate PSC Docket 05-164 with PSC Docket 04-68 was approved by the Commission in PSC Order 6642.- On March 24, 2006, the Hearing Examiner issued an Arbitration Award. The Commission deliberated the issues on September 19, 2008. At the conclusion of the deliberations the parties were instructed to return within 30 days with amendment language which would implement the Arbitration Award as modified by the Commission. The parties were not able to come to an agreement on the language to be incorporated in their interconnection agreements and so on March 20, 2007 by PSC Order No. 7144 the Arbitrators Award was approved as amended by the commission and the case was remanded to the Hearing Examiner to resolve the language disputes within 120 days.
- PSC Docket No. 02-001: On November 13, 2006, Verizon Delaware LLC. filed an application to modify its "Delaware Performance Assurance Plan" ("DE PAP"). The DE PAP document, by various methodologies, translates substandard performances by VZ-DE (as measured by the DE C2C Guidelines) into monetary liabilities for VZ-DE. This application asked the Commission to adopt the September 25, 2006 changes implemented by the New York Public Service Commission. (The Delaware PAP is based on the New York PAP and has historically adopted any changes implemented by the NEW York Commission.) By PSC Order NO. 7101, the PSC extended the comment period for the application with initial comments due January 19, 2007 and reply comments due February 16, 2007.
LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL ISSUES
- Internet Voice or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): As described by the FCC in its consumer fact sheet, "Internet Voice", also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line." While not currently regulated at the federal or state levels, the FCC has created an Internet Policy Working Group (IPEG) to examine potential policy issues relating to this technology.
- Broadband is a generic term used to describe the high-speed transmission services that allow consumers to access the internet much higher speeds than traditional "dial-up" modems, and includes technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line(DSL) Services and Cable Modems (CM), as well as emerging wireless technologies. The FCC offers a consumer fact sheet on broadband which describes and compares the available technologies.
