SENATE MEMORIAL 21

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE STUDY TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS REFORM.

     WHEREAS, there is a significant disparity between rates charged by telecommunications carriers in New Mexico for intrastate switched access services and rates charged by the same carriers for interstate switched access services; and

     WHEREAS, the intrastate switched access service rates charged by some telecommunications carriers in New Mexico are among the highest in the region of the country; and

     WHEREAS, the high rates being charged for intrastate switched access services have resulted in high rates in New Mexico for intrastate long-distance services compared to interstate long-distance services; and

     WHEREAS, the high rates for intrastate switched access services and for intrastate long-distance services may serve as a deterrent to increased competition in the telecommunications industry for some areas of New Mexico and may deprive the public of access to advances in telecommunications technology; and

     WHEREAS, in passing both the New Mexico Telecommunications Act and the New Mexico Rural Telecommunications Act, the legislature mandates maintaining the availability of access to telecommunications services at affordable rates and of comparable long-distance service rates for comparable markets and market areas; and

     WHEREAS, in both the New Mexico Telecommunications Act and the New Mexico Rural Telecommunications Act, the legislature encourages competition in the telecommunications industry, to the extent consistent with maintaining the availability of access to telecommunications services at affordable rates and of comparable long-distance service rates, which allows public access to rapid advances in telecommunications technology; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the legislature and other interested and affected parties to address the disparity in intrastate and interstate switched access rates in an expeditious manner;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative council direct the appropriate interim legislative committee to study and propose legislation to address the rate disparities for intrastate and interstate switched access and long-distance services provided by telecommunications providers in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as the appropriate interim legislative committee considers changing current law to ensure comparable rates, it should be mindful of the goals of maintaining access to telecommunications services at affordable rates, of encouraging competition and of encouraging access to advances in telecommunications technology; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate interim legislative committee report its findings to the first session of the forty-seventh legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the legislative council and the public regulation commission.

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