Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 25 - COIN-OPERATED TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-25-4 - COCOT Service

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Prospective
				providers of COCOT service shall be required to undergo a Certification process
				as outlined in subsection H of this section.
B. COCOT instruments may be connected only to
				a Public Access Line furnished by the local exchange carrier franchised in the
				area in which the COCOT instrument is to be located. However, upon request by a
				prospective COCOT provider to furnish a Public Access Line in a Public
				Location, the local exchange carrier may, at its discretion, choose to install
				a central office implemented public pay telephone in lieu of a Public Access
				Line; provided that installation of such telephone be completed within thirty
				(30) days from local exchange carrier's receipt of the COCOT/Public Access Line
				application.
C. COCOTs in Public
				Locations shall conform to requirements of sections
				2 and
				5 of this Chapter. COCOTs in
				Semi-Public Locations shall conform to requirements of sections
				2 and
				6 of this Chapter.
D. All COCOTs shall be connected to the
				network under a tariffs one-party uncapped COCOT Public Access Line measured
				service rate if measured service is available in that area. If unavailable,
				COCOTs may be connected under a tariffs Public Access Line one-party message
				rate if available; otherwise, COCOTs may be connected under a tariffs COCOT
				Public Access Line flat rate until measured service becomes
				available.
E. Each local exchange
				carrier in the State shall file COCOT Public Access Line (PAL) tariffs within
				fourteen (14) days of receipt of Commission notification that an application
				for COCOT PAL service has been received for that telephone company's service
				territory. COCOT PAL tariffs currently approved and in effect shall remain
				effective.
F. Any and all costs for
				construction of outside plant necessitated by the introduction of COCOT service
				shall be borne by the COCOT service provider.
G. All charges incurred by the COCOT line
				shall be the responsibility of the COCOT service provider. Screening services
				shall be available to COCOT service providers as an option offered by the local
				exchange company.
H.
Certification
. Because the Public Utilities Commission finds that
				the existence of COCOTs serves the public convenience and necessity, the
				certification process shall be streamlined as follows:
1. Providers of COCOT service must abide by
				applicable tariffs of the local exchange carrier, the applicable rules and
				regulations of the Public Utilities Commission, and Maine Public utility laws.
				Toward that end, authorization to provide COCOT service and a proposal for a
				change in rates pursuant to section
				7 of this Chapter will depend on
				completion of application form by the COCOT provider.
2. The application form shall be that
				appended to this Chapter, subject to modification by the Commission as
				necessary, and shall include:
a. All
				information requested on the application form; and
b. For COCOTs in semi-public locations, a
				description of the basis of those rates and how they relate to the cost of
				providing service, if service provided is proposed to be at rates which vary
				from those authorized for COCOTs in public locations.
3. Two (2) copies of the application form for
				each installation shall be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission by the
				COCOT applicant after completion of all information required by Section (H)(1)
				and (2). The Commission, through the Technical Analysis Division, shall either
				approve or reject the application and shall return one (1) date-stamped copy to
				the COCOT service provider. If the application is approved, the applicant shall
				present this date-stamped copy to the local exchange carrier from which service
				is to be provided. If the local exchange carrier chooses to install a location,
				the carrier shall promptly notify the COCOT applicant and the Public Utilities
				Commission. If a Public Access Line is to be furnished as requested, the
				carrier shall then add to the application:
a.
				The telephone number of the Public Access Line assigned to the COCOT
				instrument; and
b. The central
				office and type of location in which the COCOT instrument is to be located; and
				shall forward the completed certificate to the Public Utilities Commission.
				This paragraph shall not apply to certificate filings for the amendment of
				rates. A revised certificate must be prepared and submitted to the Public
				Utilities Commission in the event of a change in any of the information
				contained in the certificate.