364.507  Legislative intent.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that it is in the interest of the state to assure its citizens access to advanced telecommunications services since such access will complement the provision of educational and health care services, thus enhancing the health, safety, and welfare of Floridians. The Legislature further finds that the network should be available to residents of rural, suburban, and urban areas so that all citizens may benefit.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature that all local exchange telecommunications companies, including those with less than 100,000 access lines in service which do not elect to be regulated under price regulation pursuant to s. 364.051, should be required to provide advanced telecommunications services to eligible facilities in the absence of a competitive bid to provide such services pursuant to s. 364.510(3). This obligation arises from the privileges granted such local exchange telecommunications companies under part I of this chapter.

(3)  It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage competition among providers of telecommunications services to provide advanced telecommunications services, as such competition will accelerate the deployment of advanced telecommunications services for the improvement of public education and public health services in the state.

(4)  It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage joint ventures between telecommunications companies, cable companies, and other providers where such joint ventures accelerate, improve, or otherwise assist eligible facilities in receiving advanced telecommunications services.