Sec. 16-247o. Consultant to test operations support systems interface. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 16-247o. Consultant to test operations support systems interface. (a) The Department of Public Utility Control shall, after consultation with the Office of Consumer Counsel, retain a consultant for the purpose of overseeing the testing of a telephone company's interface into its operations support systems, as set forth in subsection (a) of section 16-247n, and attempting to resolve expeditiously any disputes that arise among interested parties. The costs of the consultant shall be recovered from certified telecommunications providers and telephone companies using such operations support systems in the manner provided in section 16-49. The contract with such consultant shall include provisions for the testing of operations support systems and shall require the consultant to recommend adequate performance standards and appropriate methodologies of operations support systems testing, that may include, but are not limited to, the use of an artificial telecommunications provider, and to implement whatever testing methodology is selected for use. The department shall select a testing methodology through a process that provides an opportunity for input from any certified telecommunications provider that uses such operations support systems, the applicable telephone company and the Office of Consumer Counsel. Such a contract shall also provide for status reports as required by the department.

      (b) If the consultant hired pursuant to subsection (a) of this section is unable to resolve a dispute, the consultant shall immediately notify the department and the dispute shall be subject to a compulsory arbitration proceeding to be conducted by the department. The department shall provide notice to ensure all parties are given the opportunity to participate in such arbitration proceeding. The consultant shall appear at any such arbitration proceeding and present the consultant's position. Any such arbitration hearing shall not be considered a contested case, as defined in section 4-166. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on all parties and shall be subject to judicial review and enforcement against all parties in the manner prescribed by chapter 909.

      (P.A. 99-222, S. 6, 19; P.A. 00-53, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 99-222 effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 00-53 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).