What is Alternative Regulation?
Several smaller companies have implemented Alternative Regulation Plans. These Plans have increased companies’ flexibility to increase local rates and decrease access rates, gained specific infrastructure and service quality commitments, removed earnings restrictions, provided discounts to schools and libraries, and specified procedures for a transition to competition. In 1993, Wisconsin Act 496 was enacted to manage the change to a competitive telecommunications marketplace. The Act allows telecommunications utilities to file a new regulatory method alternative to traditional regulation, subject to PSC approval. The legislature directed the PSC to regulate telecommunications utilities with the goal of developing alternative forms of regulation, and approve such a plan for all telecommunications utilities. The Commission shall determine whether it is in the public interest to approve an alternative regulatory method.
