Tex. Utils. Code Section 54.251
Provision of Service

(a)

Except as provided by this section, Section 54.252 (Grounds for Reduction of Service by Holder of Certificate of Convenience and Necessity), Section 54.253 (Discontinuation of Service by Certain Certificate Holders), and Section 54.254 (Required Refusal of Service), a telecommunications utility that holds a certificate of convenience and necessity or a certificate of operating authority shall:

(1)

offer all basic local telecommunications services to each customer in the utility’s certificated area; and

(2)

provide continuous and adequate service in that area.

(b)

Except as specifically determined otherwise by the commission under this subchapter or Subchapter G of this chapter, and except as provided by Subchapters C (Issuance of Certificate of Operating Authority) and D, Chapter 65 (Deregulation of Certain Incumbent Local Exchange Company Markets), the holder of a certificate of convenience and necessity for an area has the obligations of a provider of last resort regardless of whether another provider has a certificate of operating authority or service provider certificate of operating authority for that area.

(c)

A certificate holder may meet the holder’s provider of last resort obligations using any available technology. Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 56 (Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund), the commission may adjust disbursements from the universal service fund to companies using technologies other than traditional wireline or landline technologies to meet provider of last resort obligations. As determined by the commission, the certificate holder shall meet minimum quality of service standards, including standards for 911 service, comparable to those established for traditional wireline or landline technologies and shall offer services at a price comparable to the monthly service charge for comparable services in that exchange or the provider’s nearest exchange.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 7, eff. September 7, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 98 (S.B. 980), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2011.

Source: Section 54.251 — Provision of Service, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/UT/htm/UT.­54.­htm#54.­251 (accessed May 18, 2024).

54.001
Certificate Required 54.002
Exceptions to Certificate Requirement for Service Extension 54.003
Exceptions to Certificate Requirement for Certain Services 54.004
Relinquishment Plan 54.005
Notice of and Hearing on Application 54.006
Request for Preliminary Order 54.007
Flexibility Plan 54.008
Revocation or Amendment of Certificate 54.051
Definition 54.052
Certificate Required for Public Utility 54.053
Application for Certificate 54.054
Grant or Denial of Certificate 54.101
Definition 54.102
Application for Certificate 54.103
Grant or Denial of Certificate 54.104
Time of Service Requirements 54.105
Penalty for Violation of Title 54.151
Definition 54.152
Limitation on Grant of Certificate 54.153
Eligibility for Certificate 54.154
Application for Certificate 54.155
Grant or Denial of Certificate 54.156
Resale of Services 54.157
Optional Extended Area Service or Expanded Local Calling Service 54.158
Interference with Resold Services Prohibited 54.159
Retention of Access Service and Intralata Toll Service 54.201
Certification Prohibited 54.202
Prohibited Municipal Services 54.203
Service in Annexed or Incorporated Area 54.204
Discrimination by Municipality Prohibited 54.205
Municipality’s Right to Control Access 54.206
Recovery of Municipal Fee 54.251
Provision of Service 54.252
Grounds for Reduction of Service by Holder of Certificate of Convenience and Necessity 54.253
Discontinuation of Service by Certain Certificate Holders 54.254
Required Refusal of Service 54.255
Transfer of Certain Certificates 54.256
Application of Contracts 54.257
Interference with Another Telecommunications Utility 54.258
Maps 54.259
Discrimination by Property Owner Prohibited 54.260
Property Owner’s Conditions 54.261
Shared Tenant Services Contract 54.301
Definitions 54.302
Provider of Last Resort 54.303
Successor Telecommunications Utility When No Sufficient Facilities Exist 54.304
Abandonment or Cessation by Facilities-based Provider 54.305
Commission Participation in Bankruptcy Proceedings 54.2025
Lease of Fiber Optic Cable Facilities 54.3015
Applicability of Subchapter
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
May 18, 2024

§ 54.251’s source at texas​.gov