The Florida Senate

Except for a transfer of a certificate of necessity from one person to another or to the parent or affiliate of a certificated person as provided in this section, a person may not begin the construction or operation of any telecommunications facility, or any extension thereof for the purpose of providing telecommunications services to the public, or acquire ownership or control thereof, in whatever manner, including the acquisition, transfer, or assignment of majority organizational control or controlling stock ownership, without prior approval. A certificate of necessity or control thereof may be transferred from a person holding a certificate, its parent or an affiliate to another person holding a certificate, its parent or an affiliate, and a person holding a certificate, its parent or an affiliate may acquire ownership or control of a telecommunications facility through the acquisition, transfer, or assignment of majority organizational control or controlling stock ownership of a person holding a certificate without prior approval of the commission by giving 60 days’ written notice of the transfer or change of control to the commission and affected customers. This section does not require approval by the commission prior to the construction, operation, or extension of a facility by a certificated company within its certificated area nor in any way limit the commission’s ability to review the prudence of such construction programs for ratemaking as provided under this chapter.