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DRAFT <br />• Continue to support legislation which encourages the deployment of telecommunications <br />services while, at the same time, retaining local regulatory authority. <br />• Encourage the delivery of advanced telecommunications services pursuant to Federal <br />enablements and requirements, to all Orange County Communities including residents, <br />educational institutions, libraries, businesses, government and other organizations. <br />• Advocate, develop and employ necessary means to receive fair and reasonable <br />compensation for use of public property and the public right -of -way. <br />• Continue to comply with well - established Federal laws and regulations which affect <br />telecommunications providers and the County. Where necessary, update the County's <br />Telecommunications Policy and Plan to reflect prevailing Federal law, regulations and <br />Judicial decisions. <br />• Apply Federal laws and regulations in a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory <br />manner. <br />2. Compliance with, and Affect on, State Laws and Regulations. <br />Policy Statement: The County will continue to use current enablements given under State law to <br />receive compensation for the use of the ROW, including seeking the recovery of all costs <br />incurred by the County related to ROW use by commercial providers. Where necessary and <br />appropriate to change State law to enable the County to receive more fair, reasonable and <br />equivalent compensation from all users of the ROW, and in so doing help level the playing field <br />and benefit the citizens of Orange County, the County supports efforts that advocate such change <br />to State law. The County may work proactively with other local governments and allied entities <br />on initiatives to change State law in this regard. <br />Applicable Action Steps: <br />• Continue to use current State enablements that support the County's efforts regarding <br />proactive management of the ROW, full cost recovery related to ROW management <br />activities and ROW use impact, and regulation of cable television and other video <br />services. <br />• Continue to work with the North Carolina Municipal League, other local governments <br />and allied entities to preserve local authority related to ROW use and the use of public <br />property. <br />• Where beneficial to Orange County's interests, advocate changes to State law to enhance <br />local authority over ROW users in order to level the playing field, improve the <br />competitive telecommunications climate and receive fair and reasonable compensation <br />for use of the ROW and public property. <br />3. Encouragement of Competition. <br />Policy Statement: While continuing to appropriately manage the use of the public right -of -way, <br />the County will encourage and promote competition in the local telecommunications <br />marketplace. It will use all avenues open to it, to pursue an increase in the number and diversity <br />CADocuments and SettingsWdministrator\Local SettingATempWtt 5 -Ex. Telecom Plan- 8.02.doc 2 <br />