GENERAL POLICY.

Regulatory policy should recognize that: (1) there are differences between small and large incumbent local exchange companies; (2) there are a large number of customer-owned telephone cooperatives and small, locally owned investor companies; and (3) it is appropriate to provide incentives and flexibility to allow an incumbent local exchange company that serves a rural area to: (A) provide existing services; and (B) introduce new technology and new services in a prompt, efficient, and economical manner.