(a) Telecommunications providers shall negotiate network interconnectivity, charges, and terms.
(b) If interconnectivity, charges, and terms are successfully negotiated, the commission shall approve the interconnection rates.
(c) If telecommunications providers do not enter into a mutually agreed compensation rate under this section, each provider shall reciprocally terminate the other provider's traffic at no charge for the first nine months after the date the first call is terminated between the providers.
(d) During the nine-month period prescribed by Subsection (c), the commission shall complete a proceeding to establish reciprocal interconnection rates and terms. The commission shall establish reciprocal interconnection rates and terms based solely on the commission proceeding.
(e) In establishing the initial interconnection rate, the commission may not require cost studies from the new entrant.
(f) On or after the third anniversary of the date the first call is terminated between the providers, the commission, on receipt of a complaint, may require cost studies by a new entrant to establish interconnection rates.
Official text of the Texas Utilities Code as published by the Texas Legislative Council.