(a) It is the policy of this state to protect the public interest in having adequate and efficient telecommunications service available to each resident of this state at just, fair, and reasonable rates.(b) The telecommunications industry, through technical advancements, federal legislative, judicial, and administrative actions, and the formulation of new telecommunications enterprises, has become and will continue to be in many and growing areas a competitive industry that does not lend itself to traditional public utility regulatory rules, policies, and principles. As a result, the public interest requires that rules, policies, and principles be formulated and applied to: (1) protect the public interest; and(2) provide equal opportunity to each telecommunications utility in a competitive marketplace. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.