In the past, customers who didn't pay their overdue long distance bills usually were cut off from both local and long distance service until the overdue long distance bills were paid. Customers can receive PLTS without paying the long distance charges they owe, but the long distance company can still collect the debt from them and charge interest. Once customers pay all of the charges they owe, they can return to regular telephone service. They must accept and pay for toll blocking. Customers may pay for Extended Area Service, Expanded Local Calling, or Extended Metropolitan Service if those services are provided in their area.
Customers also can pay extra to have an unlisted number.
They can receive long distance calls, and they may call toll-free numbers. They also may use prepaid telephone calling cards to make long distance calls from their home phone. PLTS customers, however, can't have any optional services such as call waiting, Caller ID, call blocking, speed calling or call forwarding. They also can't use Directory Assistance, and they must ensure that no additional charges accrue on their bills. We also are interested in how many of your customers have subscribed to the program since it was first offered February 1998.