{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-481.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-481.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-481.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-481.2.html"}],"law_id":58465,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58465,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481.2","catch_line":"Rates, charges and regulations for local exchange telephone services provided by new entrants","history":"1995, cc. 22, 35, 187; 2001, c. 75.","full_text":"If, under subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4, a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued to a new entrant to provide local exchange telephone service, the Commission shall at the same time adopt a form of regulation for the new entrant’s local exchange services and, upon application pursuant to \u00a7 56-235.5, for the incumbent local exchange telephone company, that does not regulate the earnings of either. In approving the form of regulation of the new entrant’s local exchange services, the Commission shall do so in a manner that is equitable to the new entrant and the incumbent local exchange telephone company and in the public interest. In determining the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission shall: (i) consider whether the form of regulation reasonably protects the affordability of basic local exchange telephone service, as such service is defined by the Commission, and reasonably assures the continuation of quality local exchange telephone service; and (ii) find that such action will not unreasonably prejudice or disadvantage any class of telephone company customers or telephone service providers, including the new entrant and incumbent local exchange telephone company, and is in the public interest. In approving the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission may take such action as it deems appropriate in the public interest, with due consideration being given to the competitiveness of the services, including deregulation and detariffing the services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive the Commission of its power to modify the form of regulation, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, if it finds that competition or the potential for competition no longer effectively regulates the price of a service. Except as provided for in this section and in subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4, no other provision of law relating to the regulation of rates, charges, and regulation of local exchange telephone services shall apply to the provision of such services by new entrants.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":214277,"text":"If, under subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4, a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued to a new entrant to provide local exchange telephone service, the Commission shall at the same time adopt a form of regulation for the new entrant’s local exchange services and, upon application pursuant to \u00a7 56-235.5, for the incumbent local exchange telephone company, that does not regulate the earnings of either. In approving the form of regulation of the new entrant’s local exchange services, the Commission shall do so in a manner that is equitable to the new entrant and the incumbent local exchange telephone company and in the public interest. In determining the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission shall: (i) consider whether the form of regulation reasonably protects the affordability of basic local exchange telephone service, as such service is defined by the Commission, and reasonably assures the continuation of quality local exchange telephone service; and (ii) find that such action will not unreasonably prejudice or disadvantage any class of telephone company customers or telephone service providers, including the new entrant and incumbent local exchange telephone company, and is in the public interest. In approving the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission may take such action as it deems appropriate in the public interest, with due consideration being given to the competitiveness of the services, including deregulation and detariffing the services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive the Commission of its power to modify the form of regulation, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, if it finds that competition or the potential for competition no longer effectively regulates the price of a service. Except as provided for in this section and in subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4, no other provision of law relating to the regulation of rates, charges, and regulation of local exchange telephone services shall apply to the provision of such services by new entrants.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13124,"edition_id":1,"name":"Supervision by Commission","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13123,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":249901,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13124,"identifier":"3","token":"56\/15\/3","url":"\/56\/15\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13123,"edition_id":1,"name":"Telegraph and Telephone Companies","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":249827,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13123,"identifier":"15","token":"56\/15","url":"\/56\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68778,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-478","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-478\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-478","metadata":false},{"id":76714,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-478.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-478.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-478.1","metadata":false},{"id":55155,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479","catch_line":"Commission to make rules; require connection between companies; inspect lines and buildings","url":"\/56-479\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479","metadata":false},{"id":71000,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.1","catch_line":"Long distance service; change of carriers; prior authorization","url":"\/56-479.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.1","metadata":false},{"id":65935,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.2","catch_line":"Anti-competitive acts; injunctive relief","url":"\/56-479.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.2","metadata":false},{"id":62586,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.3","catch_line":"Authorization and verification for products, goods, and services to be billed on a telephone bill","url":"\/56-479.3\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.3","metadata":false},{"id":75146,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.4","catch_line":"Designation of eligible telecommunications carrier for purposes of providing Lifeline service","url":"\/56-479.4\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.4","metadata":false},{"id":81279,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-480","catch_line":"Rates, etc., on file with Commission not to be questioned in courts; revision; proof","url":"\/56-480\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-480","metadata":false},{"id":82603,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-480.1","catch_line":"Time limit on institution of approved rates","url":"\/56-480.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-480.1","metadata":false},{"id":61400,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-480.2","catch_line":"Operator assistance at pay stations","url":"\/56-480.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-480.2","metadata":false},{"id":70696,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-481\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481","metadata":false},{"id":64697,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481.1","catch_line":"Rates, charges, and regulations for interexchange telephone service","url":"\/56-481.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.1","metadata":false},{"id":58465,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481.2","catch_line":"Rates, charges and regulations for local exchange telephone services provided by new entrants","url":"\/56-481.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.2","metadata":false},{"id":70457,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482","catch_line":"Agreements between telephone companies to be submitted to Commission","url":"\/56-482\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482","metadata":false},{"id":78090,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482.1","catch_line":"Reports required of interexchange telephone companies","url":"\/56-482.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482.1","metadata":false},{"id":69467,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482.2","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/56-482.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482.2","metadata":false},{"id":60571,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-483","catch_line":"Refusal or neglect to make reports; obstructing Commission in discharge of duties; violations in general","url":"\/56-483\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-483","metadata":false},{"id":54158,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-484","catch_line":"Foreign companies to obtain license","url":"\/56-484\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-484","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64697,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481.1","catch_line":"Rates, charges, and regulations for interexchange telephone service","url":"\/56-481.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":70457,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482","catch_line":"Agreements between telephone companies to be submitted to Commission","url":"\/56-482\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-481.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 22<\/a>, 35<\/a>, and 187<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2001, chapter 75<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":55874,"section_number":"56-77","catch_line":"Certain contracts must be approved by the Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-77\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55844,"section_number":"56-235.5","catch_line":"Telephone regulatory alternatives","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-235.5\/"},{"id":55350,"section_number":"56-265.4:4","catch_line":"Certificate to operate as a telephone utility","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.4_4\/"}],"permalink":{"id":249951,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58465,"identifier":"56-481.2","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.2","url":"\/56-481.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-481.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Rates, charges and regulations for local exchange telephone services provided by new entrants","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-481.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

If, under subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4<\/a>, a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued to a new entrant to provide local exchange telephone service<\/span>, the Commission<\/span> shall at the same time adopt a form of regulation for the new entrant’s local exchange services and, upon application pursuant to \u00a7 56-235.5<\/a>, for the incumbent local exchange telephone company<\/span>, that does not regulate the earnings of either. In approving the form of regulation of the new entrant’s local exchange services, the Commission<\/span> shall do so in a manner that is equitable<\/span> to the new entrant and the incumbent local exchange telephone company<\/span> and in the public interest. In determining the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission<\/span> shall: (i) consider whether the form of regulation reasonably protects the affordability of basic local exchange telephone service<\/span>, as such service is defined by the Commission<\/span>, and reasonably assures the continuation of quality local exchange telephone service<\/span>; and (ii) find that such action will not unreasonably prejudice or disadvantage any class of telephone company<\/span> customers or telephone service providers, including the new entrant and incumbent local exchange telephone company<\/span>, and is in the public interest. In approving the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission<\/span> may take such action as it deems appropriate in the public interest, with due consideration being given to the competitiveness of the services, including deregulation and detariffing the services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive the Commission<\/span> of its power to modify the form of regulation, after notice and an opportunity for hearing<\/span>, if it finds that competition or the potential for competition no longer effectively regulates the price of a service. Except as provided for in this section and in subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4<\/a>, no other provision of law<\/span> relating to the regulation of rates<\/span>, charges, and regulation of local exchange telephone services<\/span> shall apply to the provision of such services by new entrants.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRATES, CHARGES AND REGULATIONS FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE TELEPHONE SERVICES PROVIDED BY\nNEW ENTRANTS (\u00a7 56-481.2)\n\nIf, under subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4, a certificate of public convenience and\nnecessity is issued to a new entrant to provide local exchange telephone\nservice, the Commission shall at the same time adopt a form of regulation for\nthe new entrant’s local exchange services and, upon application pursuant\nto \u00a7 56-235.5, for the incumbent local exchange telephone company, that does\nnot regulate the earnings of either. In approving the form of regulation of the\nnew entrant’s local exchange services, the Commission shall do so in a\nmanner that is equitable to the new entrant and the incumbent local exchange\ntelephone company and in the public interest. In determining the appropriate\nform of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission shall: (i) consider\nwhether the form of regulation reasonably protects the affordability of basic\nlocal exchange telephone service, as such service is defined by the Commission,\nand reasonably assures the continuation of quality local exchange telephone\nservice; and (ii) find that such action will not unreasonably prejudice or\ndisadvantage any class of telephone company customers or telephone service\nproviders, including the new entrant and incumbent local exchange telephone\ncompany, and is in the public interest. In approving the appropriate form of\nregulation for the new entrant, the Commission may take such action as it deems\nappropriate in the public interest, with due consideration being given to the\ncompetitiveness of the services, including deregulation and detariffing the\nservices. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive the Commission\nof its power to modify the form of regulation, after notice and an opportunity\nfor hearing, if it finds that competition or the potential for competition no\nlonger effectively regulates the price of a service. Except as provided for in\nthis section and in subsection B of \u00a7 56-265.4:4, no other provision of law\nrelating to the regulation of rates, charges, and regulation of local exchange\ntelephone services shall apply to the provision of such services by new\nentrants.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, cc. 22, 35, 187; 2001, c. 75.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}