Telecommunications and Universal Service
PULP is dedicated to advancing the interests of low income and rural consumers in telecommunications matters. PULP participates in state and FCC regulatory proceedings related to universal service, rates, affordability, methods to increase telephone subscribership of low income households, and expansion of broadband service to make affordable internet service available in all low income and rural communities.
“Basic Local Service” is Protected by PSC Billing and Collection Rules Resource Materials
New York prohibits the termination of "basic local service" for nonpayment of other charges, nonpayment of which results in blocking of access to the unpaid provider of non-basic service. Basic local service does not include call forwarding, and other optional services such as Caller ID.
In the termination-for-nonpayment process a customer who has not paid the full bill for all services can still preserve local service by entering into a deferred payment either for all charges or for just the basic local service portion of the bill. A customer owing money to one long distance company can, if blocked due to non-payment, sign up with another company. To prevent "carrier-hopping" the new company can check if the customer has been blocked and can require a deposit.
The billing and collection rules of the New York Public Service Commission are at 16 NYCRR Part 606.
Because billing and collection rules preserve local service, and alternative toll providers are available, many New York state consumer protection requirements have been lifted for long distance services, including intra-LATA toll service. Following is a 1997 PSC order "streamlining" the consumer protections for intra-LATA toll service.
Important Documents
GAO Report - FCC Management: Improvements Needed in Communication, Decision-Making Processes, and Workforce Planning - 12-2009
NYS Senate Select Committee on Budget and Tax Reform Report on Modernizing New York State's Telecommunications Taxes September 2009 - 09-25-2009
PULP Comments at Senate Select Committee on Budget and Tax Reform - Roundtable Meeting - “Modernizing New York State’s Telecommunications Tax System” - 08-12-2009
PSC Lifeline Order - 10-11-1985
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