EXCEPTIONS TO CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE EXTENSION.

(a) A telecommunications utility is not required to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity, a certificate of operating authority, or a service provider certificate of operating authority for an: (1) extension into territory that is: (A) contiguous to the territory the telecommunications utility serves; (B) not receiving similar service from another telecommunications utility; and (C) not in another telecommunications utility's certificated area; (2) extension in or to territory the telecommunications utility serves or is authorized to serve under a certificate of public convenience and necessity, a certificate of operating authority, or a service provider certificate of operating authority; or (3) operation, extension, or service in progress on September 1, 1975. (b) An extension allowed by Subsection (a) is limited to a device used: (1) to interconnect existing facilities; or (2) solely to transmit telecommunications utility services from an existing facility to a customer of retail utility service.