CLEC - Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
Overview
When the FCC deregulated the local exchange market in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, it opened local exchange service to competition. The Commission created two new categories of certification called the COA - Certificate of Operating Authority and the SPCOA - Service Provider Certificate of Operating Authority.
Who Should File: Any utility/company that intends to provide local exchange telephone service, basic local telecommunications service, or switched access service to customers besides itself must obtain certification from this Commission. Any utility/company that currently holds a COA or SPCOA and requests changes to the existing certification.
When to File: By law, PURA (Public Utility Regulatory Act) §54.103(a) the Commission has 60 days in which to grant or deny certification, with extensions granted for show of good cause. The 60-day time limit begins with the filing of the COA & SPCOA Application. Amendments to certifications are processed using the same time line as new certifications.
Forms - Applications
Tariffs and Price Sheets
- A CLEC shall file either a Tariff or Price Sheet before service begins. There is no approval process and there is no required format. Tariffs and Price Sheets are for "Informational Purposes" only. The Tariff or Price Sheet becomes active the day it is filed with Central Records. The Tariffs or Price Sheets shall be filed in Control Number 42242.
911 Information
Certificated Companies
- Competitive Local Exchange Carriers - clec.csv
- Please update your company contact information using the PUCT Portal and either "COA & SPCOA Annual Report" or "Company Contacts", if later than annual report due date. Both are available in PUCT Applications.
Rules - Statutes - Orders
Questions and Answers