§ 49-21-02 — Telecommunications companies - Common carriers - Public policy

All persons providing telecommunications service within this state shall be common carriers
and are hereby declared to be affected with a public interest and subject to regulation and
general supervision by the commission. Among the purposes to be served by such regulation
and supervision are:
1. To make available to all people of this state modern and efficient telecommunications
services at the most economic and reasonable cost.
2. To allow the development of competitive markets for telecommunications services
where such competition does not unreasonably distract from the efficient provision of
telecommunications services to the public, and to lessen regulation in whole or in part
of those telecommunications services which become subject to effective competition.
3. To establish and maintain reasonable charges for telecommunications services without
unreasonable discrimination, or unfair or destructive competitive practices.
4. To ensure that regulated charges do not include the costs of unregulated activities.
5. To encourage the establishment and maintenance of a strong telecommunications
industry.