Rural Entry Guidelines

Applicant must be certificated by the Commission. (K.S.A. 66-131)

- Technical expertise

- Financial capability

- Managerial expertise

Applicant must meet the requirements to qualify as an "eligible telecommunications carrier" (Federal Act section 214(e)(1); State Act section 5(c))

- Must offer to provide service to all customers in the rural telephone company study-area as defined by the FCC.

- Must advertise the availability and charges for service using media of general distribution.

Applicant must make a bona fide request to the ILEC for interconnection services or network elements. (Federal Act section 251(f)(1); State Act section 5(a))

Applicant must provide notice of the bona fide request to the Commission. (Federal Act section 251(f)(1)(B))

Has the ILEC been granted an exemption under the Federal Act section 251(f)(2), if yes inquiry terminates - new entrant cannot provide service until suspension/modification expires, if no continue.

The Commission must inquire whether:

the request is unduly economically burdensome for the ILEC;

the request is technically feasible; and,

the request is consistent with section 254 (preservation of universal service). (State Act section 5)