Sec. 54.205  Relinquishment of universal service.

    (a) A state commission shall permit an eligible telecommunications 
carrier to relinquish its designation as such a carrier in any area 
served by more than one eligible telecommunications carrier. An eligible 
telecommunications carrier that seeks to relinquish its eligible 
telecommunications carrier designation for an area served by more than 
one eligible telecommunications carrier shall give advance notice to the 
state commission of such relinquishment.
    (b) Prior to permitting a telecommunications carrier designated as 
an eligible telecommunications carrier to cease providing universal 
service in an area served by more than one eligible telecommunications 
carrier, the state commission shall require the remaining eligible 
telecommunications carrier or carriers to ensure that all customers 
served by the relinquishing carrier will continue to be served, and 
shall require sufficient notice to permit the purchase or construction 
of adequate facilities by any remaining eligible telecommunications 
carrier. The state commission shall establish a time, not to exceed one 
year after the state commission approves such relinquishment under this 
section, within which such purchase or construction shall be completed.