66-2011. Internet access. (a) As used in this section, "the internet" means the international network of interconnected government, educational, and commercial computer networks. An "internet service provider" means an entity that provides end user access to the internet. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that the commission has any regulatory jurisdiction over internet service providers. The provisions of this section apply only to those locations of the state where local (7-digit) internet access, which supports at least 14.4 kilobits per second service with no more than 5% blockage during the busiest hour of the service, is not available on or after October 1, 1996.

(b) On or after July 1, 1996 and prior to October 1, 1996, rural telephone companies shall file concurring tariffs to offer internet access in locations identified in subsection (a) to an intraLATA internet service provider of the customer's choice. All rural telephone companies, including local exchange carriers pursuant to subsection (c), shall provide dial-up access to support at least 14.4 kilobit per second service ubiquitously throughout the exchange service area, with 19.2 kilobit per second service on and after July 1, 1999. The commission shall increase the 19.2 kilobit per second requirement when the commission determines that more advanced technology is both technically and economically feasible.

(c) On or after July 1, 1996 and prior to October 1, 1996, all local exchange carriers, other than rural telephone companies, shall file tariffs with the commission for two flat-rate dial-up plans, which would provide internet access in locations identified in subsection (a) to an intraLATA internet service provider of the customer's choice. All such plans shall be approved by the commission if they meet the criteria established in this section. The first plan includes: (1) For off-peak users, a monthly rate of not more than $15 per line for the hours of 5 p.m. through 7:59 a.m. weekdays and all hours on weekends and federal holidays. Calls placed outside this specified off-peak period shall be billed at prevailing toll rates. (2) For unlimited usage, the rate shall not exceed $30 per line per month. The commission shall waive imputation considerations in reviewing and approving these service offerings.

(d) If a location was previously eligible for the plans provided in subsection (c) and a new internet service provider establishes a local presence in that location, the local exchange carrier serving the location shall:

(1) Notify all subscribers of the discounted internet access service that a local internet service provider is now available;

(2) continue to make the discounted internet access service available to existing subscribers of such service with no deterioration of such service; and

(3) allow no new subscribers of the discounted internet access service.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply that the commission has any regulatory jurisdiction over the internet or internet service providers with respect to quality of service, rates, billing and collection practices, end-to-end bandwidth, technical support or any other aspects of the business of providing internet access service. However, the commission shall monitor the adequacy of connectivity to internet service providers. Upon complaints of inadequate access, commission staff shall request a seven-day traffic busy line study from the local exchange carrier serving the internet service provider. Commission staff shall analyze the study results to determine whether there is more than 5% access blockage and shall provide the analysis to the internet service provider for consideration and possible action. If the analysis indicates a need for additional capacity and the internet service provider fails to take a corrective action within 45 days after the analysis is provided to such provider by the commission staff, the internet service provider shall be removed from the commission's internet service provider registry and subscribers of such internet service subscriber shall be eligible for the plans provided in subsection (c) if there is no other local internet service provider serving the location.

(f) All internet service providers operating in the state shall register with the commission. Such registration shall include the name of the internet service provider and the provider's address, contact name, phone number, and access line numbers. This information shall be maintained by the commission at the commission's internet home page (http://www.kcc.state.ks.us). This information shall be used to determine a requesting customer's eligibility for the plans provided in subsection (c) and to provide a single authoritative listing of internet service provider access numbers for local exchange carriers to use in processing service orders. Absent complaints to commission staff, internet service providers shall be assumed to provide service with 5% or less access blockage upon registration. If, upon complaint and subsequent investigation, access blockage is determined to exceed 5%, the provider shall be removed from the commission's registry.

(g) During the 1999 session of the Kansas legislature, the commission shall transmit a report to the chairperson, vice-chairperson and ranking minority member of the house standing committee on energy and natural resources [*], the senate standing committee on transportation and utilities [**] and the joint committee on computers and telecommunications [***] concerning implementation of this section. The report shall include recommendations for revisions in this section necessitated by technological innovation or market changes in the telecommunications industry. The report also may include an expiration date for this section.

History: L. 1996, ch. 268, § 12; L. 1998, ch. 138, § 3; June 4.

* Committee on environment.

** Committee on utilities.

*** Joint committee on information technology.