65-407 C.M.R. ch. 202, § 2 - DISCONNECTION PROHIBITED

A. A telephone utility shall not disconnect or threaten to disconnect a customer's basic telephone service because of the customer's failure to pay an audiotext service charge. A telephone utility must treat audiotext service charges as "non-basic utility service" as that term is defined in Chapter 810 of the Commission's rules.

B. A telephone utility may seek to disconnect or block a customer's ability to make calls to audiotext service providers if a customer has repeatedly failed to pay undisputed charges for audiotext services. The term "repeatedly" means that the customer has failed to pay for undisputed audiotext charges in excess of $50.00 after the issuance of at least two monthly bills. Prior to disconnection of a customer's ability to make calls to audiotext service providers, the telephone utility shall issue a disconnection notice that informs the customer that the notice does not threaten the customer's basic telephone service and contains a disclosure of: the overdue amount for audiotext services; the disconnection date; a statement of the customer's right to dispute the action by first attempting to resolve the dispute with the utility and then, if not satisfied, appeal the dispute to the Consumer Assistance Division; the title and telephone number of the utility representative to contact; and any reconnection charge. The disconnection notice shall, at a minimum, contain a due date at least three (3) business days after the postmark or mail date of the notice.

Notes

65-407 C.M.R. ch. 202, § 2