(a) (1) The Commission may not authorize mandatory telephone company charges based on a measured time period unit rate for local messages.

(2) The Commission may study or evaluate mandatory telephone company charges.

(b) If the Commission authorizes a telephone company to offer to residential customers the option of telephone charges based on a measured time period unit rate for local messages, the Commission also shall require the telephone company to offer to residential customers:

(1) the option of an unlimited number and duration of local calls; and

(2) the option of a specific charge per local call, regardless of the duration of the local call.

(c) A telephone company may not require the payment of an order processing charge or line change charge for a residential customer’s first change from local telephone service based on charges for measured time period unit rates, if the change occurs within 18 months after the date that the consumer elects this telephone service.

(d) The Commission may not authorize a telephone company to charge for the distance of a call within a local calling area.