Texas Utilities Code - Section 55.013. Limitations On Discontinuance Of Basic Local Telecommunications Service
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§ 55.013. LIMITATIONS ON DISCONTINUANCE OF BASIC LOCAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE. (a) A provider of basic local
telecommunications service may not discontinue that service
because of nonpayment by a residential customer of charges for long
distance service. Payment shall first be allocated to basic local
telecommunications service.
(b) For purposes of allocating payment in this section, if
the provider of basic local telecommunications service bundles its
basic local telecommunications service with long distance service
or any other service and provides a discount for the basic local
telecommunications service because of that bundling, the rate of
basic local telecommunications service shall be the rate the
provider charges for stand-alone basic local telecommunications
service.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the commission shall
adopt and implement rules, not later than January 1, 2000, to
prevent customer abuse of the protections afforded by this section.
The rules must include:
(1) provisions requiring a provider of basic local
telecommunications service to offer and implement toll blocking
capability to limit a customer's ability to incur additional
charges for long distance services after nonpayment for long
distance services; and
(2) provisions regarding fraudulent activity in
response to which a provider may discontinue a residential
customer's basic local telecommunications service.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the
commission has all jurisdiction necessary to establish a maximum
price that an incumbent local exchange company may charge a long
distance service provider to initiate the toll blocking capability
required to be offered under the rules adopted under Subsection
(c). The maximum price established under this subsection shall be
observed by all providers of basic local telecommunications service
in the incumbent local exchange company's certificated service
area. Notwithstanding Sections 52.102 and 52.152, the commission
has all jurisdiction necessary to enforce this section.
(e) A provider of basic local exchange telecommunications
service shall comply with the requirements of this section not
later than March 1, 2000.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, § 19, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Section: 55.006 55.007 55.008 55.009 55.010 55.011 55.012 55.013 55.014 55.015 55.016 55.017 55.021 55.022 55.023
Last modified: August 10, 2007
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