PUC §709.5: (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that all telecommunications markets subject to commission jurisdiction be opened to competition not later than January 1, 1997.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that all telecommunications markets subject to commission jurisdiction be opened to competition not later than January 1, 1997. The commission shall take steps to ensure that competition in telecommunications markets is fair and that the state’s universal service policy is observed. (b) To the extent possible, competition in intraexchange telecommunications markets shall be coincident with competition in video markets. (c) The commission shall expedite its open network architecture and network development, interconnection, universal service, and other related dockets so that whatever additional rules and regulations that may be necessary to achieve fair local exchange competition shall be in place no later than January 1, 1997. (d) If any local exchange telephone company obtains the right to offer cable television or video dialtone service within its service territory from a regulatory body or court of competent jurisdiction, any cable television corporation or its affiliates may immediately have the right to enter into the intraexchange market within the service territory of that local exchange carrier by filing for approval of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, if necessary, which shall be expeditiously reviewed by the commission. (e) If the local exchange corporation is subject to the commission’s standards for the interconnection of networks, network unbundling, and service quality, the cable television corporation or its affiliates may be subject to the commission’s standards for the interconnection of networks, network unbundling, and service quality, for that portion of their network dedicated to intraexchange telecommunications service. In addition, all corporations offering intraexchange telecommunications service shall be subject to the commission’s consumer protection regulations.