Section 731.110  Classifications of Carriers

a)         Level 1 Carriers. For purposes of this Part, the following carriers shall be Level 1 carriers:

1)         LECs in the State of Illinois that provide wholesale service and have a preexisting plan; or

2)         LECs in the State of Illinois that have obligations pursuant to section 251(c) of the federal Telecommunications Act, with 400,000 or more subscriber access lines in service; or

3)         LECs in the State of Illinois that provide wholesale service and are directed pursuant to a Commission order to comply with all of the requirements of Subparts B, C, D, and E pursuant to Section 731.635.

b)         Level 2 Carriers. For purposes of this Part, Level 2 carriers are those LECs in the State of Illinois that provide wholesale service and satisfy each of the following requirements:

1)         Have obligations pursuant to section 251(c) of the federal Telecommunications Act, with fewer than 400,000 subscriber access lines in service;

2)         Do not have a preexisting plan;

3)         Do not have a wholesale service quality plan approved by the Commission pursuant to Subpart E;

4)         Have not been directed pursuant to a Commission order to comply with all of the requirements of Subparts B, C, D, and E pursuant to Section 731.635; and

5)         Do not have a currently effective rural exemption.

c)         Level 3 Carriers. For purposes of this Part, Level 3 carriers are those LECs in the State of Illinois with a rural exemption from the obligations of section 251(c) of the federal Telecommunications Act.

d)         Level 4 Carriers. For purposes of this Part, Level 4 carriers are those LECs in the State of Illinois that do not have obligations pursuant to section 251(c) of the federal Telecommunications Act and are not Level 3 carriers.