When can I withdraw my price list?

As of June 8, 2006, price lists may be withdrawn and no more new price lists can be filed. Price lists that were on file before June 7, 2006, can be kept on file and maintained through revisions filings for a transition period of one more year.

Will the operator service rate benchmark in WAC 480-120-262 (3) (f) still apply after price lists have been withdrawn?

Yes. The benchmark does not reference price lists, and companies will still be required to price operator services in compliance with the rule.

After June 7, 2006, new price lists will no longer be accepted by the commission. Does this mean that the commission will not accept changes to existing price lists or that they will not accept brand new price lists?

Companies will be able to maintain any price lists on file as of June 2006 for another year. This means that companies can still make revision filings. Please use the rules in effect prior to June 2006 (attached ) as a guideline for price list maintenance. No "new" price lists can be filed.

Does the change in law mean that companies filing applications for registration as a telecommunications company will no longer need to file an initial price list?

Yes - all you have to file is an application and financial information.

Without price lists, how can I get authority to offer a new competitive telecommunications service?

Unless the new service is unusual, you can simply report it on your next annual report. For more information see our "new service" page.

Without price lists, how will people find out about competitive telecommunications prices, terms and conditions?

We expect that instead of using price lists, companies will communicate with customers directly using a contract or customer service agreement as well as relying upon Internet Web sites to provide that information.

Will companies simply withdraw their price lists?

Yes. Companies will be required to withdraw existing price lists by June 30, 2007, unless they petition for an extension of that date.

What is the process for withdrawing a price list? Is a letter on company letterhead sufficient?

Effective June 8, 2006, a price list can be withdrawn by submitting a transmittal letter to the attention of Carole J. Washburn, Executive Secretary. Please identify the price list(s) being withdrawn. Please reference RCW 80.36.100(5) as the basis for withdrawing the price list, and state clearly the effective date of the withdrawal. Refer to WAC 480-80-104 for details regarding the submission of transmittal letters.

Does elimination of the price list filing requirement mean that competitive telecommunications services have been deregulated?

No. New telecommunications companies will still have to file an application for registration. The new law will not affect tariffs or regulatory fees and companies will still need to work with commission staff on consumer complaints.

After price lists have been withdrawn, will consumer complaints about competitive services be handled differently?

No. The bill does not reduce the commission's role in resolving consumer complaints about competitive services.

After the new rules go into effect, will the commission still authorize registration and competitively classify telecommunications services and companies as competitive?

Yes. The commission will continue to register and classify services as competitive; the new rules affect only the regulatory requirements once a service or company is declared by the commission to be competitive.

If price lists don’t have to be filed with the commission, will the commission oversee competitive pricing, terms or conditions at all?

The new rules do not reduce the commission's ability to investigate whether competitive prices are fair, just, and reasonable.

Will the new rules have any effect on services that are listed in a tariff?

No. The new rules have no effect on the requirements for non-competitive services; companies will continue to file tariffs for these services.

If price lists are no longer required, will companies still need to pay regulatory fees?

Yes, competitively classified telecommunications companies and services are still subject to regulatory fees, and the new rules have no effect on the amount of the regulatory fee paid by telecommunications companies.