Section 11-50B-1 Purpose

It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state to encourage the development of advanced telecommunications capabilities, cable, interactive computer, and Internet facilities and services to better serve the public and further industrial economic development in this state. It is necessary for growth, job opportunities, and sustained economic development to encourage new investment in advanced telecommunications capabilities, cable, interactive computer, and Internet facilities, including investment by public providers of these services. Nothing contained herein, however, is intended to exempt, except, or exclude public providers which engage in the provision of advanced telecommunications capability or services, cable, interactive computer, or Internet facilities or services pursuant to the authority granted herein from complying with any provisions of federal law which may at any time apply to the public providers or their facilities or services, including without limitation, to the extent that they apply, any requirement that they interconnect with other telecommunications providers, or that they obtain from the regulatory authorities designated by federal law as being the appropriate bodies from which to obtain any requisite approval, the approval of interconnection agreements with other telecommunications providers.