reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.07 - Insufficient Reasons for Denial of Service

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The following may not constitute cause for refusal of service to a present or prospective customer:
(1) Failure of a prior customer to pay for service at the premises to be served;
(2) Failure to pay for a different class of service for a different entity;
(3) Failure to pay the bill of another customer as guarantor of that bill;
(4) Failure to pay directory advertising charges;
(5) Failure to pay an undercharge as described in Regulation .01D(2) of this chapter; or
(6) Failure to pay an outstanding bill that is over 7 years old, unless the:
(a) Customer signed an agreement to pay the outstanding bill before the expiration of this period;
(b) Outstanding bill is for service obtained by the customer by means of tampering with equipment furnished and owned by the utility or by unauthorized use of service by any method; or
(c) Outstanding bill is for service obtained by the customer by means of an application made:
(i) In a fictitious name;
(ii) In the name of an individual who is not an occupant of the dwelling unit, without disclosure of the individual's actual address;
(iii) In the name of a third party without disclosing that fact or without bona fide authority from the third party; or
(iv) Without disclosure of a material fact or by misrepresentation of a material fact.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.08 - Trouble Reports

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Each utility shall provide for the receipt of customer trouble reports at all hours.
B. Trouble Reporting.
(1) Arrangement shall be made to clear all trouble of an emergency nature at all hours, consistent with the bona fide needs of the customers and the personal safety of the utility personnel.
(2) Arrangement shall be made to clear all out-of-service troubles, not requiring unusual repairs, within 8 hours of the report to the company (excluding clock hours between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. weekdays and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
(3) Arrangements shall be made to clear all non-out-of-service troubles, not requiring unusual repairs, within 24 hours of the report to the company (excluding clock hours between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. weekdays, and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
(4) If unusual repairs are required, or rehabilitation programs or other factors preclude clearing of reported troubles promptly, when practical, the customer shall be so notified and an estimated time given as to when the trouble will be cleared.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.09 - Held Applications

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. When the telephone utilities may not be able to supply initial telephone service to an applicant within 5 days or provide special communications service in 14 days or upgrade existing customers within 30 days after the date the applicant desires service, the utility shall inform the applicant by telephone, personal contact, or in writing to the extent practical as to the following:
(1) The reason for the delay;
(2) A possible interim grade or type of service or number of lines that are available;
(3) The steps being taken by the utility to make service available;
(4) The probable date on which service will be provided.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.10 - Voluntary Suspension

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
At the request of the customer, telephone service may be temporarily suspended without loss of number for a period of 1 month up to a maximum of 1 year. The customer's right to retain his number during a period of suspension is subject to the company's right to change numbers under circumstances which would have called for a number change while the service was active. A suspension of service rate shall be chargeable during this period and shall be lower than the rate for active service.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.11 - Directory

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Alphabetical directories shall generally be made available, listing the name, address, and telephone number of each customer, except public telephones and numbers unlisted at the customer's request.
B. Upon request from the customer, the utility shall provide each customer, free of charge, a copy of the printed directory or directories covering his area.
C. The name of the utility, the area included in the directory, and the month and year of issue shall appear on the cover.
D. Information pertaining to emergency calls to such agencies as police and fire departments shall appear conspicuously in the opening pages of the directory.
E. Instructions concerning the placing of local and long distance calls, repair service calls, and information on directory assistance calls shall appear conspicuously in the opening pages of the directory. Typical rates shall also be shown.
F. The introductory pages of the directory shall include information with regard to billing procedure, anonymous and annoyance call procedure, emergency calling procedure for party lines, and a notice as to where the utility's tariffs are available for public inspection.
G. The opening pages of the directory shall include a notice advising customers that, should they need any information that cannot be furnished by the utility, they may refer their questions to the Public Service Commission, with appropriate address and telephone number for the agency.
H. "Directory assistance" or information operators shall be provided with records of all directory listings (except those not published) for their service areas and intercept operators shall be provided with complete intercept records for their areas of service.
I. In the event of an error in a number published in the directory, the utility shall intercept all calls to the published number for the life of the directory provided that the number is not already in service. If the published number is in service, the party served by it shall be given appropriate transfer information and also the opportunity for a number change, in the event of which the published number shall be placed on intercept for 1 year or the life of the directory involved, whichever is longer.
J. Within 48 hours (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and holidays) of a number change, directory assistance and information operator records shall be updated as required to reflect the changes. Whenever possible, intercept records should should reflect the change in advance of the actual number change.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.12 - Intercept

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Sufficient information shall be provided to the caller to indicate the reason for being intercepted as well as directions to assist the caller in making his call.
B. When facilities permit, the utility shall provide, as a minimum, line intercept or the equivalent for 90 days or for the life of the directory, whichever is shorter, in each case of a customer initiated residence number change.
C. When facilities permit, the utility shall provide, as a minimum, line intercept or the equivalent for 1 year, or for the life of the directory, whichever is shorter, in each case of customer initiated business number change.
D. When facilities permit, the utility shall provide, as a minimum, line intercept or the equivalent for 1 year or the life of the directory, whichever is shorter, in each case of a company-initiated residence or business number change.
E. The utility shall, when possible, provide line intercept or the equivalent for the life of the directory, in the event of an error in omission, to intercept the customer's number listed in the former directory.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.13 - Discontinuance of Local Service

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Notice to Commission Required.
(1) If a utility providing local residential or business telephone service intends to discontinue, reduce, or impair its local residential or business telephone services to a customer, or is in jeopardy of discontinuing, reducing, or impairing local telephone service to a customer under §B of this regulation, the utility shall provide written notice to the Commission by first class mail not later than 30 days before the date on which service may be discontinued.
(2) The utility shall also simultaneously give the written notice required by §A(1) of this regulation to the:
(a) Affected utility customers;
(b) Underlying provider of the utility; and
(c) Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.14 - Underlying Provider Notice of Utility Payment Failure

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Required Notice.
(1) If a utility fails to pay an undisputed bill of an underlying provider within 30 days of the due date, the underlying provider shall notify the Commission in writing and provide a copy of the notice to the utility.
(2) The underlying provider's notice required under §A(1) of this regulation shall contain:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the utility failing to make payment and contact information for the failing utility's account representative;
(b) The nature of the service or facility of the underlying provider;
(c) The location of the service or facility; and
(d) The number of days that payment is past due.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.04 - Customer Relations › Section 20.45.04.15 - Telephone Utility Filing for Bankruptcy Protection - Notice to Commission

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Required Notice. If a utility or an affiliate, holding company, or parent company of the utility files a plan for reorganization or liquidation of its assets in a court of competent jurisdiction, the utility shall provide written notice of the filing to the Commission.
B. Commission Action. On receipt of the notice under §A of this regulation or a finding under Regulation .13 of this chapter, the Commission may require the utility to provide periodic reports to demonstrate that it is financially capable of continuing to provide service without interruption.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.01 - General Provisions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Each utility shall provide telephone service to the public in its service area in accordance with its tariffs on file with the Commission. The quality of the service shall meet or exceed the standards set forth in these regulations. When a utility fails to meet any of the standard service levels listed below in an exchange or reporting entity in any month, the service data for the standard not met in that exchange shall be reported to the Commission:
A. Each utility shall provide operator-assisted service for all exchanges at all hours.
B. In each exchange area, the utility shall provide at least one coin telephone available to the public at all hours. This coin telephone shall be prominently located and shall be properly maintained, equipped with dialing instructions and a directory, and lighted at night. The utility shall also establish other public telephone service at locations where the public convenience will be served.
C. Each utility shall provide equipment and facilities designed and engineered in accordance with realistic forecasts of subscriber demand and shall maintain a stock of associated equipment adequate to meet the demand.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.02 - Installation of Service

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Eighty-five percent of regular service orders installation shall normally be completed within 5 working days. The intervals commence with the receipt of application unless a later date is requested by the applicant.
B. Installation of local exchange regrade service shall normally be completed not later than 30 days after the customer has made application for a different class of service, except when the customer requests or accepts a later date. In the event of the utility's inability to so complete the order, the customer shall be advised as under COMAR 20.45.04.09A.
C. Appointment Met. If the utility establishes an appointment for the installation of service with the customer, the rate of appointments met may not be less than 88 percent of the total utility established appointments for single-line exchange service and 82 percent of the total utility established appointments for multi-line local exchange service per month within an entity.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.03 - Customer Contact Objectives

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Each utility shall establish practices for operators and representatives with the objective of providing efficient and pleasing service to the customers. Operators and representatives shall be instructed so as to be courteous, considerate, and efficient in handling all matters and to comply with the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in maintaining the secrecy of communications.
B. The Company shall maintain adequate personnel and equipment to assure that operator answering performance is provided as follows based upon a sampling of calls over a 1-month period for those offices sufficient in size to provide a statistically reliable service measurement sample:
Class of Call
Minimum Acceptable Standard
Toll and Assistance (Cord Board)
83% Within 10 Seconds
Directory Assistance - % Slow Answer
79% Within 10 Seconds
Directory Assistance - Average Interval
7.8 Seconds
Intercept - % Slow Answer
79% Within 10 Seconds
Operator Identified DDD
93% Within 5 Seconds
Official P.B.X.
83% Within 10 Seconds
C. An "answer" means that the operator or representative of the utility is ready to render assistance or ready to accept the information necessary to process the call, or both. An acknowledgement that the customer is waiting on the line may not suffice to constitute an "answer".
D. Answering time studies shall be made, utilizing recognized sampling techniques, and a monthly summarization prepared with respect to each operator office or large team complex for their various classes of calls.
E. Answering time recorders shall be installed or adequate service observing measurement shall be established in all toll centers and higher rank offices.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.04 - Dial Service Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The utility shall have facilities which will allow 98.5 percent of all calls placed to receive a dial tone within 3 seconds.
B. As a minimum acceptable level of performance, 95 payment of attempts during the average busy season busy hour shall receive a dial tone within 3 seconds.
C. The busy season shall be the period composed of those months of highest load for the particular service being considered. The busy season shall ordinarily include 3 months, not necessarily consecutive. The beginning of the "month" may be other than the beginning of the calendar month, if good cause and consistency can be shown.
D. The busy hour shall be the 2 consecutive half-hours during which the greatest volume of traffic is handled in the central office. Different days of the week may have different busy hours, but the hour selected for any day shall be used on that day of the week for the entire busy season.
E. Reasonable Call Completion Rate.
(1) Reasonable call completion rates to establish "minimum acceptable levels of service", based on observed results of properly dialed calls in all offices sufficient in size to provide a statistically reliable service measurement sample, shall be:
(a) Local calls by customers-94 percent completions;
(b) DDD calls by customers-(outgoing trunks) 94 percent completions;
(c) DDD calls by customers-(incoming trunks) 96 percent completions.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.05 - Termination of Attempts

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Every originated call shall result in one of the following:
A. The call shall progress to the number dialed, the calling customer shall receive an indication of ringing, and the called telephone shall ring;
B. The call shall progress to the number dialed and, if busy, the calling customer shall receive a busy signal;
C. The call shall progress only part of the way through the switch train and, having reached an overflow condition, shall receive an appropriate overflow signal, which can be readily differentiated from a subscriber busy signal;
D. A call to vacant code level, code, or subscriber number shall receive an adequate and appropriate intercept where facilities permit.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.06 - Transmission Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Telephone utilities shall furnish and maintain adequate plant, equipment, and facilities to provide satisfactory transmission of communications between customers in their service area. Transmission shall be at adequate volume levels and free of excessive distortion. Levels of noise and cross-talk shall be such as not to impair communications. It is recognized that, due to extreme environmental conditions and economic factors, it is normal to have a small percentage of items that exceed objective levels. If the loss exceeds the stated objectives by more than 4 db, or the noise exceeds the stated objectives by more than 10 db, these cases of excess loss or noise shall be considered as troubles requiring correction.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.07 - Minimum Transmission Objectives

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Reference Conditions. The transmission objectives set forth in these regulations are based upon the use of standard telephone sets connected to a 48-volt dial central office and measured at a frequency of 1000 hertz. This does not preclude future designs based on new instruments or voltages other than 48 volts, provided that equivalent or better transmission is obtained.
B. Loop Resistance. A subscriber line shall have a loop resistance not exceeding the operating design of the associated central office equipment. Amplifiers and long line adaptors may be used to extend the central office equipment design limits; however, the objectives of these regulations shall be met.
C. Permissible Loss on Subscriber Loops. The maximum transmission loss objective of any one subscriber loop shall be 11 db. Subscribers' loops with losses in excess of 15 dB shall be considered as trouble requiring correction. The maximum transmission loss objective between any two subscribers on separate lines in the same central office shall be 22 db.
D. Permissible Loss on Local Interoffice Trunks. The maximum overall transmission loss objective, including the loss in terminating equipment on local interoffice trunks, shall be 7 db. Local interoffice trunks with losses in excess of 11 db shall be considered as troubles requiring correction.
E. Permissible Loss on Toll Trunks. The maximum overall transmission loss objective, including the loss in terminating equipment for toll connecting trunks, shall be 4 db. Toll connecting trunks with losses in excess of 8 db shall be considered as troubles requiring correction. The maximum loss in intertoll trunks shall be consistent with the requirements of a nationwide switching plan.
F. Permissible Noise on Subscribers' Lines. Subscribers' lines with noise in excess of 40 db above reference level shall require correction. "Reference level" is defined as 90 db (referred to as one milliwatt).
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.08 - Measurement

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Measuring devices, methods and practices, recognized generally by the communications industry as being adequate for the purposes used, shall be utilized to obtain directly or to allow calculation of results with respect to the service objectives stated in these regulations.
B. When equipment arrangements permit, each utility shall have an objective of attaining at least 300 local dial service measurements per month on all originating entities serving more than 10,000 main, equivalent, and centrex C.O. stations, and on all originating entities serving more than 5,000 main, equivalent, and centrex C.O. main stations that are a part of a local dial network of 15,000 main stations.
C. Each utility shall provide, maintain, and operate a dial tone speed measuring device for all originating entities serving more than 3,000 main, equivalent, and centrex C.O. main stations.
D. Each utility shall provide, maintain, and operate load or servicing indicating devices on originating equipment for all entities not equipped with a dial tone speed measuring device.
E. Each utility shall measure the answering time at all customer contact locations (repair service, business offices, toll operator office, and so forth) that receive more than 200 contacts per average business day.
F. A performance record for each Central Office or other appropriate entity shall be established and kept current and shall show applicable service results hourly, daily, monthly, or otherwise as appropriate.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.09 - Interruption of Service

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Each utility shall take appropriate measures to assure that service interruptions shall be kept to a minimum.
B. Each utility shall make provisions to meet emergencies resulting from failure of power, sudden and prolonged increases in traffic, absences of employees, or from fire, storm, or similar contingencies. The utility shall inform its employees as to procedures to be followed in the event of these contingencies in order to prevent or mitigate interruption or impairment of service.
C. Each central office equipped with an emergency generator shall contain, as a minimum, 4 hours of battery reserve based on the busy hour load. Offices not so equipped shall contain, as a minimum, 8 hours of battery reserve based on the busy hour load and shall have access to a portable generator capable of providing power in the event of power failure.
D. Outside facilities shall be so constructed as to be minimally susceptible to interruptions due to weather conditions.
E. If service must be interrupted for the purpose of working on the lines or equipment, reasonable effort shall be made to perform the work at a time which shall cause minimal inconvenience to subscribers. When the interruption will be of a significant duration, the affected customers shall be notified and emergency services shall be available, as required, for the duration of the interruption.
F. Each telephone utility shall inform the Commission, as soon as possible, of any occurrence of an unusual nature which apparently may result in prolonged and serious interruption of service to a large number of customers.
G. Each utility shall keep records of interruptions of service and shall make an analysis of the records for the purpose of determining steps to be taken to prevent recurrence of the interruptions. These records should include the following information concerning the interruptions:
(1) Cause;
(2) Date and time; and
(3) Duration.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.10 - Maintenance, Inspection, and Tests

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Each utility shall adopt a program of periodic tests, inspections, and other preventive maintenance activity to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service.
B. Each utility shall maintain or have access to test facilities enabling it to determine the operating and transmission capabilities of all equipment and facilities, both for routine maintenance and for fault location.
C. Each utility shall maintain or have access to the necessary facilities, instruments, and equipment for testing its metering and recording equipment and shall adopt appropriate practices for the periodic testing of its operation.
D. Each utility shall test any usage recording devices upon written request of any customer, based upon reasonable grounds and provided the test is not requested more frequently than once each 12 months without clear cause.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.05 - Service Standards › Section 20.45.05.13 - Protection of Utility's Facilities

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The utilities shall, when requested, furnish appropriate information concerning location of underground facilities, in order to prevent any interruption of service to telephone customers. Nothing in this regulation is intended to affect the responsibility, liability, or legal rights of any party under applicable laws or statutes.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.01 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Except as provided under §B of this regulation, this chapter applies to a person operating a pay phone.
B. The provisions of Regulations .03-.07 of this chapter do not apply to a person operating a pay phone in a State, local, or federal correctional facility.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.02 - Registration

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Registration. Prior to providing pay phone service, a person shall complete and file a pay phone service provider registration form provided by the Commission.
B. Annual Registration Report.
(1) A pay phone service provider shall file an annual registration report with the Commission by April 1 of each year.
(2) The annual registration report shall be on a form provided by the Commission and include the:
(a) Name of the pay phone service provider;
(b) Location address of each active pay phone owned or operated by the pay phone service provider;
(c) Telephone number of each active pay phone owned or operated by the pay phone service provider; and
(d) Local exchange carrier for each active pay phone owned or operated by the pay phone service provider.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.03 - Pay Phone Service Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Local Calls.
(1) After an initial 10 minutes of pay phone use for a local call, a pay phone service provider may impose an additional per-minute charge for the use of the pay phone.
(2) The pay phone service provider shall post the initial charge and any additional per-minute charges as required under Regulation .04 of this chapter.
(3) If an additional per-minute charge is associated with a pay phone, the pay phone service provider shall ensure that the pay phone has:
(a) A verbal warning to a user that the initial paid call period is ending; and
(b) Instructions on how to continue the call.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.04 - Posting and Informational Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Posting Required. A pay phone service provider shall prominently and conspicuously post on or near each pay phone notification of:
(1) The proper dialing sequence to complete a call;
(2) The local coin rate or a procedure to obtain free rate information for an exclusively card-operated or coinless pay phone;
(3) The name and address of the pay phone service provider and the operator service provider;
(4) The pay phone service provider's and the operator service provider's toll free number or an equivalent free local or speed-dial number for maintenance and refunds;
(5) A toll free number for the current long distance carrier;
(6) A statement that the Commission has authority over the pay phone service provider, the long distance carrier, and the operator service provider;
(7) The Commission's toll free number; and
(8) If approved by the Commission under Regulation .03C of this chapter, a statement that incoming calls are blocked.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.05 - Attestation to Local Exchange Company

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A pay phone service provider shall provide to a local exchange company providing dial tone to the pay phone service provider's pay phone a one-time written attestation that the pay phone service provider has or will obtain the appropriate certification, permit, or authorization from the responsible government entity, property owner, or lessee for placement of a pay phone in Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.06 - Directory Assistance Charges and Charge-Free Calls

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Directory Assistance. A pay phone service provider may charge a user for a directory assistance call.
B. Charge-Free Calling. A pay phone service provider shall permit a user of its pay phone to reach any of the following without payment:
(1) A toll free number;
(2) The Universal Emergency Number 911 Services by dialing "9-1-1";
(3) The telecommunications relay service; and
(4) A local operator by dialing "Zero-Minus" (0-).
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.07 - Equipment Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Telephone Directories. A pay phone service provider shall provide both white page and yellow page telephone directories on an annual basis for:
(1) All indoor pay phone locations; and
(2) Outdoor pay phone locations when requested by the site owner.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.06 - Pay Phone Service › Section 20.45.06.08 - Penalties

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter may result in the imposition of a civil penalty or other sanctions under Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, including the disconnection of the pay phone service and the revocation of a pay phone service provider's registration.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.07 - Provision of Facilities › Section 20.45.07.01 - Planning Policy

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
In planning telephone service, it shall be the responsibility of each utility to provide the type and quantities of facilities that will meet the expected communications service demands of the public in the most economical manner possible that is consistent with current and long range service standards and modernization objectives.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.07 - Provision of Facilities › Section 20.45.07.02 - Plant Modification

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
In planning the modernization of a plant, the objective shall be to systematically replace and augment the older plant as rapidly as practical consistent with sound management judgment in meeting current customer service requirements and objectives.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.08 - Safety › Section 20.45.08.01 - Protective Measures

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Exercise Reasonable Care. Each utility shall exercise reasonable care to minimize the hazards to which its employees, its customers, and the general public may be subjected.
B. Investigation by Commission. The utility shall give reasonable assistance to the Commission in the investigation of the cause of accidents and in the determination of suitable means of preventing accidents.
C. Record of Accidents. Each utility shall maintain a summary of all reportable accidents arising from its operations.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.08 - Safety › Section 20.45.08.02 - Safety Program

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Adopt Safety Program. Each utility shall adopt and execute a safety program, fitted to the size and type of its operations, including the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
B. Use Suitable Tools and Equipment. Each utility should require its employees to use suitable tools and equipment in order that they may perform their work in a safe manner.
C. Promote Safe Work Methods. Each utility should instruct its employees in safe methods of performing their work.
D. Instruct in Artificial Respiration. Each utility should instruct its employees, who, in the course of their work, are subject to the hazards of electrical shock or drowning, in accepted methods of artificial respiration.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.08 - Safety › Section 20.45.08.03 - Grounding - Standard Codes

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Each utility shall use the applicable provisions in the National Electrical Code and in the National Electrical Safety Code, which have been incorporated by reference in COMAR 20.50.02.02A, for the grounding of circuits and equipment.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.01 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
This chapter applies to a local exchange or interexchange telephone company operating within Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Dial around" means a method used by a pay phone user to purposely bypass a pay phone company's local exchange or interexchange telephone company services.
(2) "Effective rate per switched access minute of use" means a rate that results from dividing the total revenue billed over a specific period of time for all rate elements contained in the intrastate switched access tariff of a facilities-based carrier by the total switched access minutes of use recorded by that carrier for the same time period.
(3) "Facilities-based carrier" means a local exchange telephone company owning or leasing facilities that consists of switching and transmission equipment used to carry voice or data traffic within Maryland.
(4) "Intrastate" means services, traffic, or facilities that originate and terminate within Maryland.
(5) Local Exchange Telephone Company.
(a) "Local exchange telephone company" means a public service company that:
(i) Owns telephone lines to receive, transmit, or communicate voice or data traffic within Maryland; or
(ii) Leases, licenses, or sells telephone lines to receive, transmit, or communicate voice or data traffic within Maryland.
(b) "Local exchange telephone company" does not include a public service company that provides service only between telephone exchange areas.
(6) "Interexchange telephone company" means a public service company that receives, transmits, or communicates voice or data traffic between telephone exchange areas within Maryland.
(7) "Switched access service" means the service provided by a local exchange telephone company to an interexchange telephone company to originate and terminate in-State long distance calls.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.03 - Intrastate Switch Access Rates

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The provisions of this regulation are subject to the requirements of federal law.
B. A local exchange company's intrastate originating switched access rates may not exceed its interstate originating access rates, as authorized by the Federal Communications Commission. In mirroring its interstate originating access rates, a local exchange company shall:
(1) Eliminate or zero-rate any intrastate rate element that does not exist in the interstate jurisdiction;
(2) Decrease any intrastate rate element that is higher than its corresponding interstate rate element to equal the interstate rate; and
(3) Increase any intrastate rate element that is lower than its corresponding interstate rate element to equal the interstate rate.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.04 - Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The per-call rate at which an interexchange telephone company subject to this chapter may offer pay phone dial around services to its customers is capped at 50 cents.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.05 - Waivers

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. A local exchange or interexchange telephone company subject to this chapter may request a waiver of the provisions of this chapter by filing an application with the Commission under COMAR 20.07.04, including supporting cost data.
B. The Commission may waive the provisions of this chapter, if it finds the rate proposed in the application filed under §A of this regulation is just and reasonable.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.06 - Fee Waiver

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The Commission shall waive the filing fee assessed under COMAR 20.07.05.03A(14)  for local exchange or interexchange telephone companies filing revised rates under Regulation .04 or .05 of this chapter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 45 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY TELEPHONE COMPANIES › Chapter 20.45.09 - Intrastate Switched Access and Pay Phone Dial Around Surcharge Rates › Section 20.45.09.07 - Penalty for Failure to Comply

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter may result in the imposition of a civil penalty or other sanctions under Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 50 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES › Chapter 20.50.01 - General › Section 20.50.01.01 - Authorization of Regulations

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, provides that the Commission shall have the power to make such reasonable regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this law and any other law relating to the Commission.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 50 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES › Chapter 20.50.01 - General › Section 20.50.01.02 - Application of Regulations

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Application. These regulations apply to any electric utility operating within the State, under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission.
B. Purpose. These regulations are intended to promote safe and adequate service to the public, to provide standards for uniform and reasonable practices by utilities, and to outline the responsibility of the public in requesting and receiving service from the utilities.
C. Exemption. If unreasonable hardship to a utility or to a customer results from the application of any of these regulations, application may be made to the Commission for the modification of the regulation or for temporary or permanent exemption from its requirements.
D. Modification. The adoption of these regulations does not preclude the Commission from altering or amending them, or from making such modifications with respect to their application as may be found necessary to meet exceptional conditions.
E. Duties Under Other Statutes. These regulations do not relieve any utility from any of its duties under the laws of this State.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 50 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES › Chapter 20.50.01 - General › Section 20.50.01.04 - Environmental Surcharge to be Billed and Remitted by Electric Companies

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. If an electric company itemizes the environmental surcharge on a customer's bill, the electric company shall bill the environmental surcharge to each customer as required by Public Utilities Article, §7-203, Annotated Code of Maryland.
B. An electric company shall remit to the State Comptroller the amount equal to the environmental surcharge billed under §A of this regulation.
C. When calculating the amount billed to a customer for the environmental surcharge in a billing period, an electric company shall follow the following rounding practices:
(1) If the amount calculated using the environmental surcharge rate and total kilowatt hour usage for the billing period results in an amount ending in $0.005 or greater, the amount shall be rounded up to the next whole cent; and
(2) If the amount calculated using the environmental surcharge rate and total kilowatt hour usage for the billing period results in an amount ending in less than $0.005, the amount shall be rounded down to the next whole cent.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 50 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES › Chapter 20.50.02 - Engineering › Section 20.50.02.01 - Good Engineering Practice

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The electric plant of the utility shall be constructed, installed, maintained, and operated in accordance with accepted good engineering practice in the electric industry to assure, as far as reasonably possible, continuity of service, uniformity in the quality of service furnished, and the safety of persons and property.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 50 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES › Chapter 20.50.02 - Engineering › Section 20.50.02.02 - Acceptable Standards

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Unless otherwise specified by the Commission, the utility shall use the applicable provisions in the latest revised version of the incorporated by reference publications listed below as standards of accepted good engineering practice in this subtitle:
A. National Electrical Safety Code, ANSI C2 - 2017;
B. National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70 - 2020;
C. American National Standard for Electric Meters - Code for Electricity Metering, ANSI C12.1 - 2014;
D. American Standard Requirements, Terminology and Test Code for Instrument Transformers, ANSI/IEEE C57.13 - 2016;
E. Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces, IEEE 1547-2018;
F. Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces, IEEE 1547-2018 Amendment 1 (IEEE Std. 1547a-2020);
G. Errata to Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces, IEEE 1547-2018;
H. IEEE 1547.1-2020, Standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems and Associated Interfaces;
I. UL Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, UL Standard 1741, Edition 3, Edition Date: September 28, 2021;
J. NEMA Standards Publication TP 1 - 2002;
K. Guide for Electric Power Distribution Reliability Indices, IEEE Standard 1366 - 2003, 4.5 Major event day classifications; and
L. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Standard 1695 - 2016 - IEEE Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing, and Mitigating Stray and Contact Voltage.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Subtitle 50 - SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES › Chapter 20.50.02 - Engineering › Section 20.50.02.03 - Adequacy of Supply

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The generating capacity of the utility's plant, supplemented by the electric power regularly available from other sources, shall be sufficiently large to meet all normal demands for service and provide a reasonable reserve for emergencies.