This rule section establishes an affordable base rate that certain telecommunications providers are required to charge. Historically, the Public Service Commission has aligned the state affordable base rate with a base rate established by the FCC. The FCC's base rate has been scheduled to increase from $18 to $20 per line, effective 07/01/2017. However, the FCC recently voted to freeze the base rate at $18 per line, at least temporarily. Therefore, this amendment eliminates the existing language that, beginning 07/01/2017, requires affected telecommunications providers to increase their rates to at least $20 per line.