(1) Customers must make requests for expanded local calling areas under RCW 80.04.110 (the commission's complaint statute).

(2) The commission will order expansion of local calling areas only for compelling reasons. The commission will generally rely on long distance competition, local competition, and optional calling plans that assess additional charges only to participating customers, to meet customer demand for alternate or expanded calling.

In evaluating requests for expanded local calling, the commission will consider whether the local calling area is adequate to allow customers to call and receive calls from community medical facilities, police and fire departments, city or town government, elementary and secondary schools, libraries, and a commercial center.

The commission will consider the overall community-of-interest of the entire exchange, and may consider other pertinent factors such as customer calling patterns, the availability and feasibility of optional calling plans, and the level of local and long distance competition.