65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 25, § 2

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024

Section 407-25-2 - General Requirements for COCOTs and LECCOTs

A. All COCOTs in both public and semi-public locations shall provide instrument implemented service, and shall be connected to the telephone network through a tariffed Public Access Line. LECCOTs in public and semi-public locations may provide either central office implemented service or instrument implemented service.

B. All COCOTs and LECCOTs in both public and semi-public locations shall be required to be registered under Part 68 of the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission ( 47 C.F.R. §68 ). In lieu of this a COCOT provider may connect a COCOT instrument to the network through an FCC-registered coupler.

C. All COCOT and LECCOT instruments shall be hearing aid compatible.

D. All COCOTs and LECCOTs shall be installed in compliance with the NARUC generally-accepted telecommunications industry standards, applicable local codes, and the current National Electric Code and National Electric Safety Code.

E. All COCOT instruments, and all LECCOT instruments in exchanges served by electronic switching equipment, shall provide emergency access to a local exchange company operator and 911 service (where available), free of charge and without use of a coin or credit card.

F. All COCOT and LECCOT sites shall provide either a legible, current local exchange directory, or free directory assistance. However, at sites where the local calling area includes out-of-state points, current directories covering the entire local calling area shall be provided.

G. All coin-operated COCOT and pre-pay LECCOT instruments shall possess the capability of returning, and shall return, deposited coins for uncompleted calls.

H. All coin-operated COCOT AND LECCOT instruments shall accept coins of various denominations.

I. All COCOTs in public and semi-public locations shall be posted with the name and a local or toll-free telephone number of the COCOT service provider. All LECCOTs in public and semi-public locations shall be posted with the name and a local or toll-free telephone number of the local exchange carrier.

J. All COCOTs and LECCOTs shall be posted with operating instructions, the applicable rates, call time limits where applicable, and the particular instrument's Public Access line number.

K. All COCOT and LECCOT instruments shall be posted with the method for reporting complaints and obtaining refunds in a cost-free manner. The office or individual hearing such complaints shall attempt to resolve them. If no resolution is achieved, the complainant shall be informed of the right to seek resolution of the dispute with the Public Utilities Commission's Consumer Assistance Division, and shall be provided that Division's toll-free number.

L. When not in working order, all COCOT and LECCOT instruments shall be capable of giving an out-of-order message, or such a notice shall be posted at the COCOT or LECCOT location.

M. All COCOTs and LECCOTs must bear a notice indicating whether the instrument is capable of receiving incoming calls.

N. Except as specifically authorized by the Commission, a COCOT or LECCOT user shall not be charged for uncompleted calls.

O. No extension(s) shall be connected to the COCOT or the COCOT Public Access Line which would enable third party access to conversations. However, one additional telephone without a coin collecting device may be installed in connection with LECCOT semi-public service when the station is essential to efficient use of the service; the terms of this semi-public extension telephone service must be set by tariff.

P. All COCOT and LECCOT instruments shall comply with all applicable federal and state requirements as to accessibility to handicapped persons, including, without limitation, 25 M.R.S.A. § 2701(10) and 25 M.R.S.A. § 7503.

65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 25, § 2