Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) Public Hearing Notice

CenturyLink and the Staff of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) have asked the WUTC to approve a settlement agreement that creates a new Alternative Form of Regulation (AFOR) permitting certain regulatory flexibility. A copy of the settlement agreement (Dated February 7, 2025) can be found at:
https://www.utc.wa.gov/casedocket/2024/240029/docsets

A telecommunications carrier and the services it provides can be classified as competitive when customers have reasonably available alternatives, and the company does not have a significant captive customer base. CenturyLink currently operates under an AFOR, a form of limited regulation, and is asking the WUTC to extend that agreement along with fewer regulations. CenturyLink's petition would amend the current agreement, allowing CenturyLink to discontinue service to customers that have reasonably available alternative services. To discontinue service to customers with reasonably available alternative services, CenturyLink will need both Federal Communication Commission and WUTC approval. For all customers, before discontinuing service, CenturyLink will (1) notify customers by mail, email, and telephone (2) verify the existence of reasonably available alternative service providers and (3) provide technical and financial assistance to transition to new providers and/or technologies. For any customers who lack access to two or more 5G voice wireless providers, CenturyLink will seek WUTC approval prior to discontinuing service. Additionally, CenturyLink agrees to limit the size of individual discontinuances to no more than 250 customers, with no more than 500 total per year, and has agreed to a trial period in which the Commission, Public Counsel, or other parties can ask for improvements to the process. CenturyLink agrees to maintain public safety services such as routing 911 calls, selling wholesale access to third party companies, and not further vary non-recurring or monthly rates by area. The company's rates under the AFOR will continue to be governed by the free market. The WUTC maintains a complaint and investigative process and may be able to assist customers in resolving complaints. However, if that informal process fails, customers have the option to pursue unresolved disputes outside of the WUTC processes. If the new AFOR is granted, CenturyLink's petition would continue the level of regulatory flexibility under which CenturyLink presently operates under the current AFOR.

Opportunity to Participate: Virtual Public Comment Hearing

The WUTC will hold a Virtual Public Comment Hearing on June 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. PT. You may participate in the Virtual Public Comment Hearing on:

• June 5, 2025
• Zoom: https://utc-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/89780805526?pwd=zmSYqFAa9ulfe0bSF1UAfPJ7MEP6aK.1
• Meeting ID: 897 8080 5526
• Passcode: 449931

Customers can also join by phone by calling: 1-253-205-0468 and entering meeting ID number: 8978 080 5526 and passcode: 449931.