Section 709 Of Article 1. Generally From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.
709
. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the policies
for telecommunications in California are as follows:
(a) To continue our universal service commitment by assuring the
continued affordability and widespread availability of high-quality
telecommunications services to all Californians.
(b) To focus efforts on providing educational institutions, health
care institutions, community-based organizations, and governmental
institutions with access to advanced telecommunications services in
recognition of their economic and societal impact.
(c) To encourage the development and deployment of new
technologies and the equitable provision of services in a way that
efficiently meets consumer need and encourages the ubiquitous
availability of a wide choice of state-of-the-art services.
(d) To assist in bridging the "digital divide" by encouraging
expanded access to state-of-the-art technologies for rural,
inner-city, low-income, and disabled Californians.
(e) To promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial
social benefits that will result from the rapid implementation of
advanced information and communications technologies by adequate
long-term investment in the necessary infrastructure.
(f) To promote lower prices, broader consumer choice, and
avoidance of anticompetitive conduct.
(g) To remove the barriers to open and competitive markets and
promote fair product and price competition in a way that encourages
greater efficiency, lower prices, and more consumer choice.
(h) To encourage fair treatment of consumers through provision of
sufficient information for making informed choices, establishment of
reasonable service quality standards, and establishment of processes
for equitable resolution of billing and service problems.