Rural phone companies file suit against Texas PUC
E-T staff report
Nearly 50 rural Texas telephone companies have filed a lawsuit against the Public Utility Commission of Texas, accusing the state regulatory agency of illegally withholding universal service fund (“USF”) revenues crucial to maintaining the statewide telecommunications network in rural areas.
The lawsuit contends the PUC’s action was taken in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act, through illegal rulemakings, and in direct contradiction of existing state law, according to a news release from the Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative Inc.
The rural telephone companies and their customers cover more than 55% of the geographic area of the state of Texas, and allege that without this vital funding, telecommunications service to customers in rural areas of the state is placed in jeopardy.