Alaska Delays Telecom Deregulation Comments for 2 Months

Due to recent state legislative activity, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will extend comments on phone deregulation draft rules until July 29, the RCA said in a Friday order (docket R-24-001). Comments had been due Monday in the state’s renewed effort to implement SB-83, Alaska's 2019 telecom deregulation law (see 2404100058). However, earlier this month, Alaska lawmakers approved a bill (HB-307) that clarifies the RCA’s telecom powers. The bill still needs a signature from Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R). The Matanuska Telecom Association and Alaska Communications supported delaying comments so they could analyze HB-307’s impact.