Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 4927 | Telecommunications - Alternative Regulation
Section 4927.03 | Authority Over Voip-Enabled Service and Other Telecommunications Services.

Effective: December 20, 2012
Latest Legislation: House Bill 360 - 129th General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in divisions (A) and (B) of section 4927.04 of the Revised Code and except to the extent required to exercise authority under federal law, the public utilities commission has no authority over any interconnected voice over internet protocol-enabled service or any telecommunications service that is not commercially available on September 13, 2010, and that employs technology that became available for commercial use only after September 13, 2010, unless the commission, upon a finding that the exercise of the commission's authority is necessary for the protection, welfare, and safety of the public, adopts rules specifying the necessary regulation. A consumer purchase of a service that is not commercially available on September 13, 2010, and that employs technology that became available for commercial use only after September 13, 2010, shall constitute a consumer transaction for purposes of sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code, notwithstanding any provision of those sections to the contrary, unless the commission exercises jurisdiction over the service in accordance with this division. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of Chapter 4911. of the Revised Code, to the extent that the commission adopts rules under division (A) of this section regarding any interconnected voice over internet protocol enabled service provided to residential customers or regarding any telecommunications service that is provided to residential customers, that is not commercially available on September 13, 2010, and that employs technology that became available for commercial use only after September 13, 2010, the office of the consumers' counsel shall have authority to assist and represent residential customers in the implementation and enforcement of those rules.
(B)(1) The commission has no authority over wireless service, resellers of wireless service, or wireless service providers, except as follows:
(a) As provided under section 4905.84 of the Revised Code;
(b) With respect to division (C) of section 4927.15 of the Revised Code;
(c) As provided in divisions (B)(2), (3), and (4) of this section.
(2) The commission has authority over wireless service and wireless service providers as follows, but only to the extent authorized by federal law, including federal regulations:
(a) To the extent that the commission carries out the acts described in divisions (A), (B), (C), (D), and (F) of section 4927.04 of the Revised Code;
(b) As provided in sections 4927.05, 4927.20, and 4927.21 of the Revised Code.
(3) The requirements of sections 4905.10, 4905.14, and 4911.18 of the Revised Code shall apply to a wireless service provider.
(4) The commission has such authority as is necessary to enforce division (B) of this section.
(C) For purposes of sections 4927.01 to 4927.21 of the Revised Code, sections 4903.02, 4903.03, 4903.24, 4903.25, 4905.04, 4905.05, 4905.06, 4905.13, 4905.15, 4905.16, 4905.17, 4905.22, 4905.26, 4905.27, 4905.28, 4905.29, 4905.31, 4905.32, 4905.33, 4905.35, 4905.37, 4905.38, 4905.39, 4905.48, 4905.54, 4905.55, 4905.56, and 4905.60 of the Revised Code do not apply to a telephone company or, as applicable, to an officer, employee, or agent of such company or provider, except to the extent necessary for the commission to carry out sections 4927.01 to 4927.21 of the Revised Code.
(D) Except as specifically authorized in sections 4927.01 to 4927.21 of the Revised Code, the commission has no authority over the quality of service and the service rates, terms, and conditions of telecommunications service provided to end users by a telephone company.
(E) The commission shall initially adopt the rules required by this chapter not later than one hundred twenty days after September 13, 2010. Subject to the authority granted to the commission under this chapter, the commission may adopt other rules, including rules regarding the removal from tariffs of services that were required to be filed in tariffs prior to September 13, 2010, as it finds necessary to carry out this chapter.