35-A §7303. Mandatory local measured telephone service prohibited - Maine Statutes

Title 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)

Part 7: TELECOMMUNICATIONS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)

Chapter 73: TELEPHONE RATES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)

§7303. Mandatory local measured telephone service prohibited

1. Mandatory measured service. Mandatory local measured telephone service is prohibited in the State.

[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]

2. Traditional flat rate local service. The commission shall establish rates for telephone companies which will preserve traditional flat rate local telephone service at as low a cost as possible, allowing for unlimited local exchange calling for a single monthly fee as the standard phone service in the State for both business and residential customers. Flat rate service with unlimited local calling shall be described by the telephone company as the "standard" service in all its communications with the public and the commission. Any other local calling service shall be described as an "optional" service.

[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]

3. Standard. In any proceeding before the Supreme Judicial Court or the commission to review the reasonableness and lawfulness of a local telephone rate approved by the commission, it shall be presumed that any rate which results in less than 3/4 of the residential customers maintaining standard flat rate service in those exchanges offering optional measured service is in violation of subsection 2, requiring the commission to establish a rate structure which will preserve traditional flat rate local telephone service at as low a cost as possible. The presumption established in this subsection may be overcome by clear and convincing evidence that no reasonable alternative rate could be implemented which will maintain 3/4 of the residential customers as standard flat rate customers.

[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW).