Sec. 54.002.  EXCEPTIONS TO CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE EXTENSION.  (a)  A telecommunications utility is not required to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity, a certificate of operating authority, or a service provider certificate of operating authority for an:
(1)  extension into territory that is:
(A)  contiguous to the territory the telecommunications utility serves;
(B)  not receiving similar service from another telecommunications utility;  and
(C)  not in another telecommunications utility's certificated area;
(2)  extension in or to territory the telecommunications utility serves or is authorized to serve under a certificate of public convenience and necessity, a certificate of operating authority, or a service provider certificate of operating authority;  or
(3)  operation, extension, or service in progress on September 1, 1975.
(b)  An extension allowed by Subsection (a) is limited to a device used:
(1)  to interconnect existing facilities;  or
(2)  solely to transmit telecommunications utility services from an existing facility to a customer of retail utility service.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.