reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 285 - MAINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION ACCESS FUND › Section 407-285-1 - PURPOSES AND APPLICABILITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This Chapter establishes the Maine Telecommunications
				  Education Access Fund (MTEAF or the Fund), requires that voice network service
				  providers must contribute to the MTEAF, establishes the reporting and payment
				  requirements that must be followed by the contributing entities to the MTEAF,
				  and establishes the criteria for use of the Fund to meet the guidelines
				  contained in
				  35-A
				  M.R.S. §7104-B. Pursuant to the
				  provisions of this Chapter, all voice network service providers, as defined in
				  this Chapter, shall report the number of their active voice exchange lines or
				  their number of active voice customers who maintain a registered location in
				  Maine, or whose place of primary use is in Maine, shall contribute into the
				  MTEAF, and may recover their contributions from their
				  customers.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 285 - MAINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION ACCESS FUND › Section 407-285-2 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Basic Service Calling Area
. A
				"Basic Service Calling Area" is the area that a local exchange subscriber may
				call without toll charges, as defined in Chapter 204 of the Commission's
				Rules.
B.
Billing Account
				Number
. "Billing Account Number" or "BAN" is a unique number used by
				telecommunications service providers to designate a specific customer account
				or customer location to be billed.
C.
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
				(CLEC)
. A "competitive local exchange carrier" or "CLEC" is any LEC that
				is not an ILEC.
D.
Dark fiber
				provider
. "Dark fiber provider" means a person, its lessees, trustees,
				receivers or trustees appointed by any court, owning, controlling, operating or
				managing federally supported dark fiber that:
(a) offers its federally supported dark fiber
				on an open-access basis without unreasonable discrimination as confirmed in a
				schedule of rates, terms and conditions filed for informational purposes with
				the commission;
(b) is required to
				conduct its business subject to restrictions established and enforced by the
				Federal Government pursuant to Title VI of the federal American Recovery and
				Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115
				(2009) and to grant security interests to the Federal Government under that
				Act; and
(c) does not transmit
				communications for compensation inside this State.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 285 - MAINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION ACCESS FUND › Section 407-285-4 - RECOVERY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM RETAIL CUSTOMERS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Collection from Retail Customers; Surcharge.
Each contributing
				voice network service provider may recover its contributions to the MTEAF from
				its retail customers by applying a surcharge to its customers' bills that is no
				higher than the amount established by the Commission pursuant to Subsection
				3(C) of this Chapter.
				Any surcharge imposed by a voice network service provider may not be applied to
				more than 25 lines or numbers per Billing Account Number.
B.
Identification of Surcharge.
Any surcharge implemented pursuant to this Section shall be included on
				customers' bills as a separate line item and be identified as "School and
				Library Fund surcharge. "This provision does not apply to carriers that do not
				provide bills or other statements of charges (written or electronic) to their
				customers;
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 285 - MAINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION ACCESS FUND › Section 407-285-5 - USE OF FUNDS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Recommendation of Department of Education (DOE) and Maine State Library
				(MSL
). No later than March 1 of each year, the DOE and MSL shall jointly
				file a proposal describing any funding requested from the MTEAF for the
				following fiscal year, beginning July 1. The filing should explain how the
				proposal meets the criteria and guidelines set forth in
				35-A
				M.R.S. §7104-B and how schools and
				libraries will meet the requirements concerning Federal E-Rate contained in
				35-A
				M.R.S.
				§7104-B(6).
B.
Review of Recommendation
. The
				Commission will seek comments from interested persons, including, but not
				limited to, the Maine Office of the Public Advocate, voice network service
				providers, internet service providers, cable TV operators, and school and
				library administrators, on the proposal. The Commission shall consider those
				comments in reaching any decision on spending for the following year. The
				Commission may request the MSL and DOE to respond to comments or to revise
				their proposal based on those comments.
C.
Commission Order
. The
				Commission shall issue an Order by May 1 of each year establishing a budget,
				which will authorize the use of MTEAF funds for the following fiscal year. The
				Commission may modify the spending allowed under the budget during the course
				of the fiscal year upon a request from the MSL and DOE, or upon its own motion,
				if it finds that unexpected or unforeseen events have occurred or are expected
				to occur during the pendency of the fiscal year. The Order shall also establish
				a level of funding for libraries that do not apply for Federal E-Rate, as
				permitted by
				35-A
				M.R.S.
				§7104-B(6)(A).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 285 - MAINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION ACCESS FUND › Section 407-285-6 - WAIVER OR EXEMPTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Upon the request of any person subject to the provisions of
				  this Chapter or upon its own motion, the Commission may, for good cause, waive
				  any of the requirements of this Chapter that is not required by statute. The
				  waiver may not be inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter or Title 35-A.
				  The Commission, the Director of Telephone and Water Utility Industries, or the
				  Presiding Officer assigned to a proceeding related to this Chapter may grant
				  the waiver.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 288 - MAINE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND › Section 407-288-1 - PURPOSE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The purposes of the Maine Universal Service Fund (MUSF or
				  Fund) implemented pursuant to this Chapter are:
A.
Promotion and Encouragement of
				Universal Service and Reasonable Rates
. To ensure that provider of last
				resort (POLR) telephone service is available to consumers throughout all areas
				of the State at reasonably comparable rates by providing support from the Fund
				to non-price cap incumbent local exchange carriers, or any successor entities,
				that provide POLR service; and
B.
Other Supported Uses
. To provide support for other services,
				functions or activities pursuant to authorization provided in
				35-A M.R.S.
				§7104(5), (6), and
				(7).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 288 - MAINE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND › Section 407-288-2 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Access Charges
."Access
				charges" and "access rates" are those charges and rates that an IXC must pay to
				LECs for using the LECs' facilities to originate and terminate intrastate
				interexchange service in Maine.
B.
Basic Service Calling Area
. A "Basic Service Calling Area" is the
				area that a local exchange subscriber may call without toll charges, as defined
				in Chapter 204 of the Commission's Rules.
C.
Billing Account Number.
"Billing Account Number" or "BAN" is a unique number used by telecommunications
				service providers to designate a specific customer account or customer location
				to be billed.
D.
Competitive
				Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)
. A "competitive local exchange carrier" or
				"CLEC" is any LEC that is not an ILEC.
E.
Dark fiber provider
. "Dark
				fiber provider" means a person, its lessees, trustees, receivers or trustees
				appointed by any court, owning, controlling, operating or managing federally
				supported dark fiber that:
(a) offers its
				federally supported dark fiber on an open-access basis without unreasonable
				discrimination as confirmed in a schedule of rates, terms and conditions filed
				for informational purposes with the commission;
(b) is required to conduct its business
				subject to restrictions established and enforced by the Federal Government
				pursuant to Title VI of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
				2009, Public Law
				111-5, 123 Stat. 115 (2009) and to grant security
				interests to the Federal Government under that Act; and
(c) does not transmit communications for
				compensation inside this State.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 288 - MAINE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND › Section 407-288-3 - ELIGIBILITY AND FILING REQUIREMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Eligible Applicants
. To be eligible to apply for support from the
				MUSF, a carrier must be:
1. A non-price cap
				incumbent local exchange carrier that provides POLR service, or a successor
				provider of POLR service designated by the Commission; and
2. Found by the Commission to be an Eligible
				Telecommunications Carrier.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 288 - MAINE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND › Section 407-288-4 - THE FUND

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Fund
				Administrator
. The Commission will select and contract with a Fund
				Administrator that is not a state entity and is not a telecommunications entity
				(or an affiliated interest thereof) that contributes to or receives money from
				the Fund. The Fund Administrator will act as agent for the Commission and will
				administer the Fund solely under the direction of the Commission.
B.
Amount of Fund; Adjustments to MUSF
				Contribution Amount
. On a quarterly basis, the Fund Administrator will
				calculate the total Fund Costs, which shall be equal to the amount of
				contributions necessary for Commission ordered support payments to providers of
				POLR service, other payments required or authorized by
				35-A M.R.S.
				§7104, any other payments required by
				law, and administrative costs of the Fund. The Fund Administrator may also
				include an additional amount, not to exceed one percent of the total Fund
				Costs, to account for amounts due from contributors that may be uncollected.
				The Fund Administrator will recalculate the total Fund Costs quarterly,
				pursuant to Commission Orders described in Section
				3 and changes in Fund Costs otherwise
				required by law or by order of the Commission. The Commission may also require
				the Administrator to collect in a subsequent quarter any additional Fund Costs
				that became effective in a previous quarter but that were not included in the
				Fund Costs for the previous quarter. Based on the total Fund Costs and the
				history and trend of reported Lines or Working Telephone Numbers, the Fund
				Administrator will calculate a recommended MUSF Contribution Amount, which will
				be stated as a monthly per Line or per Working Telephone Number amount. Any
				recommendation that changes the then-current monthly per Line or per Working
				Telephone Number amount will be docketed, sent out for comments, and placed on
				the Commission's deliberations agenda for its consideration. Any change in the
				MUSF Contribution Amount will become effective pursuant to Commission
				Order.
C.
Disbursements from
				the Fund
. The Fund Administrator will disburse the authorized support
				payments to POLR providers from the Fund in quarterly installments and payments
				to other recipients as required or authorized by law.
D.
Electronic Processing
. To the
				extent practicable, the Administrator shall implement an electronic system for
				reporting of Lines or Working Telephone Numbers, payments by contributors, and
				disbursements from the Fund.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 288 - MAINE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND › Section 407-288-6 - RECOVERY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM RETAIL CUSTOMERS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Collection from Retail Customers; Surcharge
. Each contributing
				voice network service provider, except for providers of prepaid wireless
				service, may recover its contributions to the MUSF from its retail customers by
				applying a surcharge to its customers' bills that is no higher than the amount
				established by the Commission pursuant to Subsection
				4(B) of this Chapter.
				Any surcharge imposed by a voice network service provider may not be applied to
				more than 25 Lines or Working Telephone Numbers per Billing Account Number.
B.
Identification of
				Surcharge
. Any surcharge implemented pursuant to this Section shall be
				included on customers' bills as a separate line item and be identified as
				"Maine Universal Service Fund surcharge." This provision does not apply to any
				voice network service provider that does not provide bills or other statements
				of charges (written or electronic) to its customers.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 288 - MAINE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND › Section 407-288-7 - WAIVER OF PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Upon the request of any person subject to the provisions of
				  this Chapter or upon its own motion, the Commission may, for good cause, waive
				  any of the requirements of this Chapter that is not required by statute. The
				  waiver may not be inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter or Title 35-A.
				  The Commission, the Director of Telephone and Water Utility Industries, or the
				  Presiding Officer assigned to a proceeding related to this Chapter may grant
				  the waiver.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-1 - PURPOSES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
It is the purpose of this Chapter to:
A.
Establish minimum consumer
				protection standards.
Establish minimum consumer protection standards
				that all ILECs must meet when offering a bundled service. An ILEC may provide
				greater levels of consumer protection than those established in this
				Chapter.
B.
Establish
				financial treatment of revenues
. Establish methods for recording revenue
				from bundled services that will result in predictable regulatory treatment of
				those revenues, unless an ILEC is governed by an Alternative Form of
				Regulation.
C.
Establish
				pricing parameters
. Establish the lower limits of bundled service
				prices, unless an ILEC is governed by an Alternative Form of
				Regulation.
D.
Establish the
				treatment of certain consumer programs.
Establish the applicability of
				Lifeline, Link-Up, and discounted service for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and
				speech-impaired persons to all ILECs' bundled services.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-3 - EMERGENCY MORATORIUM

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
When the Commission or the Director of the Consumer
				  Assistance Division determines that, due to an emergency, termination of
				  telecommunications service by one or more ILECs would present a clear danger to
				  the health or safety of customers, the Commission or the Consumer Assistance
				  Division Director may declare a partial or complete moratorium on the
				  termination or disconnection of telecommunications service by any or all ILECs
				  offering bundled service.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-4 - NON-DISCRIMINATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
An ILEC shall provide service and apply credit and
				  collections policies to customers receiving bundled service without
				  discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, sex, age, national
				  origin, religion, marital status, receipt of public assistance or the exercise
				  of rights under state or federal consumer protection laws and pursuant to the
				  terms of
				   35-A M.R.S.A.
				  §702(1).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-5 - UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Deceptive
				names prohibited
. An ILEC offering bundled service may not use a company
				name that is deceptive or unreasonably confusing to consumers.
B.
Application of
Maine
Unfair Trade Practices Act
. An ILEC
				offering bundled service shall not engage in conduct prohibited by the Maine
				Unfair Trade Practices Act,
				 5 M.R.S.A.
				§§205-A -
				214 and
				related consumer protection statutes.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-6 - CUSTOMER PRIVACY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
An ILEC offering bundled service shall comply with the
				  Federal Communication Commission's Customer Proprietary Network Information
				  Rules, 47 CFR §§64.2001-2 009.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-7 - INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Before
				confirming the provision to a customer of a bundled service, an ILEC shall
				inform the customer:
1.
Disconnection
. That it may disconnect the bundled service of a
				customer for any reason not in violation of sections
				4 and
				5 of this Chapter, with 14-days notice
				to a residential customer and with 7-days notice to a nonresidential customer,
				with the exception that the customer must be transferred to basic service
				pursuant to section
				11(C). If the ILEC
				charges a termination fee, it must disclose the existence and amount of the
				fee;
2.
Calling area
.
				Of the geographic area that will be included within the customer's bundled
				service calling area;
3.
Pre-subscribed toll service and access to toll providers
. Whether
				pre-subscribed toll service will be available and of any limitation regarding
				access to toll providers; and
4.
Billing information
. Of the billing period for the bundled service
				and any requirement for advance billing.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-8 - CONFIRMATION OF ORDER WITH WRITTEN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
An ILEC shall provide customers with written confirmation of
				  orders for bundled service generated by outbound sales calls. The written
				  confirmation must include the specific terms and conditions for each bundled
				  service ordered by the customer and must be provided no later than the time the
				  customer receives the first bill for service. The written confirmation may be
				  included with the first bill for services. Orders for bundled services
				  generated by inbound calls from customers do not require written
				  confirmation.
A.
Services and
				fees
.
1.
Price, fees and terms
				and conditions
. The written confirmation shall disclose the bundled
				service ordered by the customer with its separate price, late fees, fees for
				installation, disconnection, termination or cancellation, registration fees,
				and any other terms and conditions to which the customer is required to
				adhere.
2.
Disputes
.
				The written confirmation shall include instructions on how to dispute charges
				with the ILEC.
3.
Price of
				service
. The written confirmation shall include all relevant information
				necessary for the customer to calculate the full price of the bundled
				service.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-9 - NOTIFICATION OF PRICE INCREASES AND CHANGES IN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Twenty-five day notice
				required
. An ILEC must provide each of its customers at least 25 days
				written notice of any price increase or any change in the terms and conditions
				that will result in a price increase for a bundled service provided by the ILEC
				before the increase or change may take effect. A customer may terminate the
				bundled service without penalty at any time before the increase or change takes
				effect.
B.
Adequate written
				notice
. Written notice to customers of a price increase or change in
				terms and conditions that will result in a price increase provided in
				accordance with this section shall:
1.
Form
. Be in the form of a letter, a message on the bill, or a bill
				insert that contains only the notification language required by this
				section;
2.
Readable and
				clear
. Be printed with a readable type of sufficient size to be clearly
				legible and must contain clear and unambiguous language;
3.
Not included with promotional
				material
. Be sent or provided independently of any advertising or
				promotional material of any kind;
4.
Content of notice
. Notify the
				customer of the amount of the increase and the date the increase will take
				effect; and
5.
Right to
				cancel
. Notify the customer of the customer's right to cancel the
				bundled service for which the price increase or change in terms and conditions
				that will result in a price increase applies prior to the increase or change
				taking effect.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-10 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Bill
				content
. Each bill issued by an ILEC shall:
1.
Identification of ILEC
.
				Include a clear and conspicuous identification of the ILEC providing the
				customer's bundled service. If the ILEC has more than one name, the name
				appearing on the bill must be the name used to market the service;
2.
Date
. Identify the date that
				the bill is issued;
3.
Balance
. Identify the balance in each billed account at the
				beginning of the current billing cycle, using a term such as "previous
				balance;"
4.
Charges debited
				for current billing cycle
. Identify the amount of the charges debited to
				each billed account during the current billing cycle, using a term such as
				"current service;"
5.
Payments made
. Identify the amount of payments made to each billed
				account from the previous billing cycle, using a term such as
				"payments."
6.
Charges
				debited for past charges
. Identify the amount of the charges debited to
				each billed account during the current billing cycle for untimely payment of
				past charges, using a term such as "late charge;"
7.
Closing dates and balance
.
				Include the closing dates of the current billing cycle and the outstanding
				balance in each billed account on that date, specifying the "current amount
				due" and the "past due;"
8.
Class of service
. Identify the applicable class of service or
				otherwise recognizeable name of the bundled service as stated in the ILEC's
				bundled service literature;
9.
Due date
. Include the statement, or payment, due date;
10.
Receipt deadline
. Include
				the date by which payment of the new balance must be received to avoid
				assessment of a late charge;
11.
Interest rate
. Identify the effective monthly interest rate that
				will be imposed if the bill is not paid by the due date;
12.
Contact information
. Clearly
				and conspicuously disclose any information that the subscriber may need to make
				inquiries about, or contest, charges on the bill; and
13.
Customer service
				representatives
. Include the toll-free phone number(s) for customer
				service representatives of the ILEC and any other service providerto which
				charges are due, and to which customer questions or disputes concerning bills
				or services should be directed.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-11 - DISCONNECTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Disconnection
. An ILEC may
				disconnect a customer's bundled service for any reason not in violation of
				sections
				4 and
				5 upon
				14 days prior notice to residential
				customers and 7 days prior notice to nonresidential customers.
B.
Content of disconnection
				notice
. Each notice shall be in writing and conspicuously:
1.
Disconnection date
. Identify
				the disconnection date;
2.
Services.
Identify the services that will be
				disconnected;
3.
Curability
				of disconnection
. Indicate whether the disconnection may be cured and if
				so, how; and
4.
Notice of
				transfer to basic service
. That the customer will be transferred to a
				basic service rate and the treatment of any arrearages associated with the
				bundled service, as well as the customer's right to contact the CAD for
				assistance. The notice must include the CAD's current address, phone number,
				and website URL.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-12 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Toll-free
				line
. An ILEC shall have a toll-free number for customers to call to
				resolve billing or service disputes regarding bundled services.
B.
Employees available
. An ILEC
				shall have an adequate number of properly trained employees available during
				business hours to respond to questions from customers, resolve disputes, and
				address requests for bundledservice. Customers calling the toll-free number
				discussed in section A above must be provided the opportunity to talk to a live
				customer representative without spending an unreasonable amount of time on hold
				and without being forced to navigate through an unreasonable number of menu
				levels in an automated phone answer system.
C.
Dispute resolution process
.
				When an ILEC becomes aware of a dispute by a customer regarding a bundled
				service, whether or not disconnection is pending, the ILEC shall:
1.
Investigate dispute
.
				Investigate the dispute, preserving a record of the substance and results of
				the investigation;
2.
Report
				results
. Report the results of its investigation to the customer based
				on the record; and
3.
Attempt
				to resolve dispute
. Attempt in good faith to resolve the
				dispute.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-13 - TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONSUMER PROGRAMS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Lifeline and Link-Up
. An ILEC shall provide Lifeline and Link-Up
				pursuant to Chapter 294 of the Commission's rules to all customers that receive
				a bundled service and are eligible for these programs under the terms of
				Chapter 294.
B.
Discounted
				service for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired persons
. The
				discount required by
				
				35-A M.R.S.A. §7302 is not applicable to
				unlimited intrastate calling made as part of bundled service offered by an
				ILEC, but is applicable to any measured intrastate component included in a
				bundled service.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-14 - BUNDLED SERVICE PRICE - SAFE HARBOR

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This Section shall not apply to an ILEC that is governed by
				  an Alternative Form of Regulation as it is defined in 35-A M.R.S.A. Chapter
				  91.
A.
Safe harbor price
				limiter
1.
Lower price
				limiter.
The lower limit of the safe harbor for a bundled service price
				is the marginal cost of separately offering all components of the bundled
				service.
2.
Reasonable
				estimations.
For the purposes of this section, the utility may make a
				reasonable estimation of the lower price limiter.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-15 - REVENUE ALLOCATION - SAFE HARBOR

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This Section shall not apply to an ILEC that is governed by
				  an Alternative Form of Regulation as it is defined in 35-A M.R.S.A. Chapter
				  91.
A.
Safe Harbor Discount
				Allocation
1.
Jurisdictional
				revenue limiter.
The discount percentage applied to jurisdictional
				revenues shall not exceed the discount percentage applied to non-jurisdictional
				revenues.
2.
Calculations
a.
Discount
				percentage calculation.
The "undiscounted revenue" is a reasonable
				estimation of the sum of the revenue that would be received for a group of
				bundled service components if those components were purchased individually. The
				"discount amount" is the difference between the undiscounted revenue and the
				revenue assumed to be actually received for those same bundled components when
				sold as part of the bundled service. The "discount percentage" is the ratio of
				the discount amount to the undiscounted revenue.
b.
Jurisdictional revenues
				calculation.
Jurisdictional revenues shall include revenues for all
				bundled service components that are or would be imputed to the ILEC for
				ratemaking purposes. For the purposes of this Chapter, intrastate interexchange
				service offered by an ILEC's affiliate shall be included in the ILEC's
				jurisdictional revenues.
c.
Separating interexchange service.
The intrastate portion of
				revenue derived from interexchange service that applies on an unseparated basis
				to both intrastate and interstate interexchange service shall be determined by
				applying the ratio of Maine intrastate directly assigned retail revenues (e.g.,
				usage charged at a per-minute rate) to total (intrastate plus interstate)
				directly assigned retail revenue for service rendered in Maine. Upon petition
				by an ILEC, the Commission or the Director of Finance may approve an
				alternative separation method.
d.
Purchases from a third party.
A bundled service component that the
				ILEC purchases from a third party and for which the ILEC has no ability to
				obtain or extract a discount may be excluded from the calculations carried out
				pursuant to this section.
e.
Subscriber Line Charge (SLC).
The SLC may be excluded from the
				calculations carried out pursuant to this section.
f.
Estimations.
The ILEC may
				reasonably estimate portions of the discount percentage calculations by
				considering revenue that would be received by subsets of customers, by
				estimating minutes of use of unlimited services, and by other means made
				necessary by the terms of the bundled and individual services.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 289 - REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS FOR BUNDLED SERVICES OFFERED BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS › Section 407-289-16 - APPLICATION OF THIS RULE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
If a provision of this Chapter conflicts with a provision in
				  Chapter 290 or Chapter 292 of the Commission's rule, when providing bundled
				  services the provisions of this Chapter shall apply.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-1 - PURPOSES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The purposes of this Chapter are to:
A.
Inform consumers
. Ensure that
				customers and applicants for service from eligible telecommunications carriers
				(ETCs) are provided adequate and timely information about basic service,
				intrastate toll service and optional service.
B.
Prevent discrimination; ensure
				reasonable access to service
. Ensure that all customers and applicants
				are treated in a nondiscriminatory manner and are not unreasonably denied or
				disconnected from telecommunications service.
C.
Establish minimum consumer
				protection standards
. Establish minimum consumer protection standards
				that apply to all ETCs. An ETC may provide greater levels of consumer
				protection than those established in this Chapter.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-3 - JURISDICTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This Chapter applies to all telecommunications carriers who
				  have been certified by the Commission as eligible telecommunications carriers
				  pursuant to section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of
				  1996.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-4 - EMERGENCY MORATORIUM

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
When the Commission or the Director of the Consumer
				  Assistance Division determines that, due to an emergency, termination of
				  telecommunications service by one or more ETCs would present a clear danger to
				  the health or safety of one or more customers, the Commission or the Consumer
				  Assistance Division Director may declare a partial or complete moratorium on
				  the termination or disconnection of telecommunications service by any or all
				  ETCs.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-5 - NON-DISCRIMINATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
An ETC shall provide service and apply credit and
				  collections policies to applicants and customers without discrimination on the
				  basis of race, color, ancestry, sex, age, national origin, religion, marital
				  status, receipt of public assistance or the exercise of rights under state or
				  federal consumer protection laws.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-6 - UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Deceptive
				names prohibited
. An ETC may not use a company name that is deceptive or
				unreasonably confusing to consumers.
B.
Application of Maine Unfair Trade
				Practices Act
. An ETC shall not engage in conduct prohibited by the
				Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act,
				5 M.R.S.A.
				§§205-A -
				214 and
				related consumer protection statutes.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-7 - CUSTOMER PRIVACY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
An ETC shall comply with the Federal Communication
				  Commission's Customer Proprietary Network Information Rules, 47 CFR
				  §§ 64.2001-2009.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-8 - CUSTOMER RIGHTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Notice
. An ETC shall provide a summary of a customer's rights and
				responsibilities under this Chapter to all new customers. The notice may be
				provided either through a direct mailing, bill inserts, or by including the
				notice in the ETC's directory.
B.
Content of notice
. The Notice shall:
1.
Billing procedures
. Describe
				the ETC's billing procedures, e.g. billing frequency and assessment of late
				fees (if any);
2.
Accuracy
				verification
. Explain how a customer can verify the accuracy of her or
				his bill;
3.
Payment
				options
. Identify a customer's options for making payment, e.g. location
				of payment agencies, and optional payment programs offered by the
				ETC;
4.
Deposit
				requirements
. Describe the ETC's security deposit
				requirements;
5.
Disconnection procedures
. Describe the ETC's procedures for
				disconnection and reconnection of basic service;
6.
Dispute resolution
				procedures
. Describe the ETC's dispute resolution and appeal
				procedures;
7.
Emergency
				service
. Describe the procedures that a customer or occupant may follow
				during emergency service interruptions, including how to notify the ETC of the
				need for priority restoration due to the presence of life support
				systems;
8.
Third-party
				notice
. Describe procedures for having a third party receive copies of
				notices;
9.
Limitations of
				liability; abatement and damages
. Describe the ETC's limitations on
				liability for service interruptions contained in its tariff, when a customer
				may request a claim for abatement, and how a customer can submit a claim for
				damages or abatement due to service interruptions; and
10.
Contact information
.
				Identify telephone numbers and addresses of the ETC and of the Commission where
				further inquiries may be made.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-9 - APPLICATION FOR SERVICE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Obligation
				to provide service
. An ETC may not refuse to provide minimum basic
				service to an applicant. An ETC may condition the granting of service in
				specific circumstances as described below:
1.
Past overdue amount
. An ETC may condition the granting of service
				on the applicant paying an undisputed amount overdue for previous basic service
				provided by that ETC if the applicant accrued the debt within the prior 6 years
				and if the applicant is legally responsible for the debt, and subject to a, b
				and c below.
a. The ETC must offer a payment
				arrangement to the applicant on the undisputed balance before service is
				initiated.
b. Within 60 days of the
				customer's request for service, the ETC must provide written notice to the
				customer of the outstanding debt and its intention to collect the outstanding
				debt.
c. The ETC must allow the
				customer at least 30 days after receipt of the written notice to pay the debt
				or enter into a payment arrangement. If the customer fails to respond during
				this time period, the unpaid amount may be transferred to the customer's
				current account and disconnection procedures may be initiated for failure to
				pay or make a payment arrangement.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-10 - CONFIRMATION OF ORDER WITH WRITTEN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
An ETC shall provide customers with written confirmation of
				  orders generated by outbound sales calls. The written confirmation must include
				  the specific terms and conditions for each service ordered by the customer and
				  must be provided no later than the time the customer receives the first bill
				  for service. The written confirmation may be included with the first bill for
				  services. Orders for services generated by inbound calls from customers do not
				  require written confirmation.
A.
Services and fees
.
1.
Price, fees, and terms and conditions
. The written confirmation
				shall disclose each service or package of services ordered by the customer with
				its separate price, late fees, fees for installation, disconnection,
				termination or cancellation, registration fees, and any other terms and
				conditions to which the customer is required to adhere.
2.
Disputes
. The written
				confirmation shall include instructions on how to dispute charges with the
				ETC.
3.
Price of
				service
. The written confirmation shall include all relevant information
				necessary for the customer to calculate the full price of service.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-11 - TRANSFER OF SERVICE TO ANOTHER LOCATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
No
				"applicant" status
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Rule, a
				customer who requests a transfer of basic service from one location to another
				with the same ETC, or who requests basic service at a new location within
				30-days of ceasing prior basic service with the same ETC, may not be considered
				an "applicant" for basic service purposes.
B.
Transfer of existing account
				balance
. Whenever there's a change pursuant to subsection A above, an
				ETC may transfer without notice the customer's current account balance to the
				customer's new account.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-13 - PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Payment
				arrangement required
. An ETC shall continue to serve a customer who does
				not pay a basic service account balance in full if the customer agrees to enter
				a payment arrangement for the account balance and agrees to pay each future
				bill for basic service on or before the due date of the bill until the payment
				arrangement is completed.
B.
Written confirmation of payment arrangement
. An ETC shall mail or
				deliver a written confirmation of a payment arrangement to the customer within
				3 business days after a payment arrangement is agreed to. The written
				confirmation shall:
1.
Terms of Payment
				Arrangement
. Inform the customer of the terms of the payment
				arrangement;
2.
Contact
				Information
. Include the Consumer Assistance Division's address and toll
				free telephone number; and
3.
Disconnection Notice
. Inform the customer of the ETC's right to
				issue a 3-day disconnection notice for failure to comply with a payment
				arrangement.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-14 - DISCONNECTIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Disconnection at a customer's
				request
. An ETC shall disconnect a customer's basic service on the date
				requested by the customer, except that the ETC may require a customer to
				provide up to 3-business days notice before the requested disconnection date.
				An ETC may require the customer to pay for service until the customer's basic
				service is disconnected or the 3 business day notice period expires, whichever
				occurs first.
B.
Disconnection without consent
. An ETC may begin disconnection
				procedures for basic service without the customer's consent only if:
1.
Non-payment of undisputed overdue
				amount
. The customer does not pay or make a payment arrangement on an
				undisputed amount overdue for the provision of basic service. Late fees may be
				included only to the extent the late fee is based upon an amount overdue for
				basic service;
2.
Unauthorized use
. There is unauthorized use of basic service, such
				as service being used without applying for customer status or for criminal
				activities;
3.
Safety
				risk
. The customer's use poses a safety risk to others or the
				network;
4.
Deposit
.
				The customer does not pay or make a payment arrangement for a properly required
				deposit;
5.
Commission
				decision
. The customer does not comply with a decision of the Commission
				or the Consumer Assistance Division; or
6.
Abandoned premises
. The
				customer's premises are clearly abandoned.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 290 - STANDARDS FOR BILLING, CREDIT AND COLLECTION, AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS PROVIDING BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE › Section 407-290-16 - RECONNECTION OF SERVICE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Duty to
				reconnect
. If basic service has been disconnected, an ETC shall, upon
				the customer's request, reconnect basic service after the cause of
				disconnection has been removed. If the request to reconnect service is made
				within 10 days following the disconnection of service, the reconnection shall
				take place within one business day of the request. If the request to reconnect
				service is not made within 10 days following the disconnection, the
				reconnection should take place as soon as possible.
B.
Payment arrangement
. An ETC
				shall offer the customer a payment arrangement on the account balance if the
				disconnection was for nonpayment, unless the cause of the disconnection was the
				customer's failure to honor a previously established payment
				arrangement.
C.
Reconnection
				fee
. An ETC may file a rate schedule to charge a reasonable fee for
				reconnection. The fee may be higher for reconnection after normal business
				hours.