N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16 § 603.5

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 603.5 - Service interruptions

(a) Each service provider shall establish and implement procedures regarding the construction, operation, and maintenance of its network, which are intended to minimize service failures, cable cuts, sudden increases in traffic, employee absences, fires, severe storms, and floods and which are intended to maintain, to the extent practical and reasonable, continuous operation of its service in the event of commercial power loss, except where such power is provided by the consumer.

(b) In executing subdivision (a) of this section, each service provider is expected to:

(1) Maintain emergency contingency plans designed to assist personnel to prepare for emergencies, perform repairs and service restorals in the aftermath of such events, and assess company performance and identify opportunities for improvement after conditions have been normalized. An original copy of each service provider's emergency contingency plan and any subsequent updates shall be filed with the Director of the Office of Communications. The names and telephone numbers of individuals and any information which, in the opinion of the service provider, could compromise its ability to protect the network against vandalism, terrorist acts, or other potential threats to the network, may be redacted from the copies of the emergency contingency plans and updates filed with the Director of the Office of Communications pursuant to this section.

(2) Report major service interruptions to commission staff per guidelines issued by the Director of the Office of Communications pursuant to section 603.4(a) of this Part.

(3) Be guided by accepted industry guidelines and best practices, such as the findings and recommendations of the FCC's Network Reliability Councils, relating to fiber optic, signaling, switching, digital cross-connect and power systems, 911, fire prevention, mutual aid and restoration, performance, interconnections, changing technologies, emergency communications, and other topics related to network reliability.

(c) In the event that service must be interrupted for purposes of working on the lines or equipment, the service provider's work scheduling procedures shall provide that an attempt be made to do the work at a time which will cause minimal inconvenience to consumers and, where reasonable and practical, to notify consumers in advance of the interruption. The service provider's procedures shall make provision for the availability of required emergency services for the duration of the interruption.

(d) On lines that have been voluntarily suspended or temporarily suspended for non-payment, access should continue to be provided to emergency services such as 911 or to an operator for emergency calling during the suspension period.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 16 § 603.5