65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 204, § 3

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024
Section 407-204-3 - Basic Service Calling Area Options
A.Customer Options for Basic Service Calling Areas.
1.Options Available Following Additions to BSCA.
a.General Rule. When additional exchanges are added to a BSCA (including pursuant to the December 2002 amendment to this Chapter that requires the inclusion of all contiguous exchanges), flat-rate unlimited calling to those exchanges shall be included in the exchange's Premium calling option rather than the Economy option.
b.Proposal for Exception. The Commission may grant an exception to the general rule contained in sub-paragraph (a) if it concludes that the inclusion of flat-rate unlimited calling to the new exchanges in the Premium option, rather than in the Economy option, is likely to result in a rate for the Premium Option that is so high that it is likely to deter customers from subscribing to the option. If a LEC proposes this exception, it shall first establish that it cannot address the matter through the rate design for the two options pursuant to Section 5(A). Pursuant to this exception, the Commission may order that flat-rate unlimited calling to some or all of the additional exchanges be added to the Economy option.
2.Options Available After Additions to BSCA If Home Exchange Had Only Premium Option.
a.General Rule. If, prior to the addition of a new exchange to a BSCA, the home exchange had only a Premium option, the revised Premium option will provide flat-rated unlimited calling to the entire BSCA, and the previous Premium option will become the flat-rated unlimited calling area of the Economy option.
b.Proposal for Exception. At the request of a LEC or other person, the Commission may order that the LEC continue to provide only the premium option if, under the two options, there would be only a minimal difference between the number of exchanges and access lines available on a flat-rate unlimited calling basis.
B.Selection by Customers. A customer of a local exchange carrier may choose from the following options if both are available in the customer's home exchange:
1. Premium Option, priced at a flat monthly rate for unlimited calling to all of the exchanges included in the BSCA; and
2. Economy Calling Area Option, priced at a flat monthly rate for unlimited calling within the exchanges included in the flat-rated portion of the Economy option and at a per-minute rate for calls made to all other exchanges within the BSCA.
C.Unavailability of Options When Options Identical. If, in a home exchange, both options as defined in Section 2 are identical, the option in that exchange will be classified as Premium.
D.Municipal Calling. Subscribers to all calling options shall receive municipal calling without incurring interexchange toll charges or per-minute charges established pursuant to Section 5(B) of this Chapter.

65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 204, § 3