§ 54.205   Relinquishment of universal service.

   (a) A state commission shall permit an eligible telecommunications
   carrier to relinquish its designation as such a carrier in any area
   served by more than one eligible telecommunications carrier. An
   eligible telecommunications carrier that seeks to relinquish its
   eligible telecommunications carrier designation for an area served by
   more than one eligible telecommunications carrier shall give advance
   notice to the state commission of such relinquishment.

   (b) Prior to permitting a telecommunications carrier designated as an
   eligible telecommunications carrier to cease providing universal
   service in an area served by more than one eligible telecommunications
   carrier, the state commission shall require the remaining eligible
   telecommunications carrier or carriers to ensure that all customers
   served by the relinquishing carrier will continue to be served, and
   shall require sufficient notice to permit the purchase or construction
   of adequate facilities by any remaining eligible telecommunications
   carrier. The state commission shall establish a time, not to exceed one
   year after the state commission approves such relinquishment under this
   section, within which such purchase or construction shall be completed.

   (c) In the case of a Lifeline Broadband Provider eligible
   telecommunications carrier, a Lifeline Broadband Provider's notice of
   relinquishment shall be deemed granted by the Commission 60 days after
   the notice is filed, unless the Commission notifies the Lifeline
   Broadband Provider that the relinquishment will not be automatically
   effective. This paragraph (c) shall not apply to Lifeline Broadband
   Providers that also receive high-cost universal service support.

   [ 81 FR 33089 , May 24, 2016]

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