Mont. PSC Rejects Lumen Waiver of Service Quality Rule

Montana telecom rules are outdated and anti-competitive, Lumen said Wednesday after the Montana Public Service Commission denied the carrier a six-year waiver of an out-of-service rule. Commissioners voted 5-0 at their Tuesday meeting following a two-year service quality probe into Lumen’s CenturyLink, the PSC said. The out-of-service rule requires regulated telephone service providers to clear 90% of out-of-service trouble reports within 24 hours, with some exceptions. CenturyLink argued compliance was difficult because unregulated wireless and broadband competition reduced its market share, the PSC said. The company proposed that, in exchange for the statewide waiver, it would pay $1,500 to about 500 customers on its Anaconda or GoDigital systems to disconnect from CenturyLink. “Regulated telecommunications providers must provide reasonably adequate services at just and reasonable rates,” said Montana PSC President James Brown (R). “While I understand CenturyLink’s position as to the growth of unregulated communications service providers, CenturyLink has not convinced me that there are other options for many of the folks who rely on CenturyLink’s service. CenturyLink’s proposed one-time payment would not help much if you can’t get other service at your home.” Many rural Montanans can’t get reliable cell service, noted Commissioner Randy Pinocci (R). The out-of-service rule “helps protect folks who count on CenturyLink service,” he said. A Lumen spokesperson responded, “CenturyLink is one of only a few companies still subject to monopoly-era landline service regulations,” yet “more than 95% of voice connections in Montana are now provided by our competitors. These outdated regulations are anti-competitive and don’t reflect advancements in technology that impact how we connect today.” Lumen welcomes “a constructive dialogue with the commission,” the spokesperson added.