Sec.  51.611   Interim wholesale rates.

   (a) If a state commission cannot, based on the information available to it,
   establish a wholesale rate using the methodology prescribed in  Sec. 51.609, then
   the state commission may elect to establish an interim wholesale rate as
   described in paragraph (b) of this section.

   (b) The state commission may establish interim wholesale rates that are at
   least 17 percent, and no more than 25 percent, below the incumbent LEC's
   existing  retail rates, and shall articulate the basis for selecting a
   particular discount rate. The same discount percentage rate shall be used to
   establish interim wholesale rates for each telecommunications service.

   (c) A state commission that establishes interim wholesale rates shall,
   within a reasonable period of time thereafter, establish wholesale rates on
   the basis of an avoided retail cost study that complies with  Sec. 51.609.