20 Va. Admin. Code § 5-407-50

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 22, June 17, 2024

Section 20VAC5-407-50 - Payphone instrument and service requirements

A. A payphone instrument shall be equipped for "dial-tone first."

B. Each coin payphone instrument must be connected to an individual access line. When multiple coinless phones are installed in the same physical area, one access line shall not be connected to more than three coinless phones, provided that such access promotes economical and convenient use by the public and retains immediate telephone access to emergency services.

C. A payphone instrument shall receive incoming calls unless it is prominently marked with the words "OUTGOING CALLS ONLY," "NO INCOMING CALLS," or similar language.

D. A payphone instrument shall provide users with free access to the Telecommunications Relay Service system by dialing 711, as prescribed by the commission's final order in Case No. PUC000045.

E. A payphone instrument shall allow users access to the serving LEC operator without charge. Where the access code "0" is reserved for carriers other than the serving LEC operator, access to the serving LEC operator shall be provided through the access code "*0."

F. A payphone instrument shall allow users to reach "800" numbers and other types of toll-free service without having to deposit a coin or make a prepayment.

G. A payphone instrument shall allow users to reach all OSP networks with access service arrangements with the serving LEC through their "950," "800," or "101-XXXX-0" number without having to deposit a coin or make a prepayment.

H. A coin-operated payphone instrument shall accept any combination of nickels, dimes, and quarters for local and long-distance calling charges and return any deposited amount to the user if the call is not completed.

I. PSPs shall have established procedures for making prompt refunds to users. Refunds must be made within 21 calendar days of a valid request to the PSP.

J. PSPs shall be responsible for acquiring and implementing programming information and necessary changes to central office codes and local and extended calling areas no later than 60 days after the effective date of the change.

K. A payphone instrument reported to a PSP as being out of service must be removed or restored to service as quickly as possible. Removing the payphone or restoring service shall not take more than seven calendar days from receipt of the trouble report unless site construction interrupted the service.

1. The serving LEC shall restore 80% of all out-of-service conditions within 24 hours and 100% of all out-of-service conditions within 48 hours from receipt of the trouble report.

2. The 24- and 48- hour restoral standards exclude trouble reports received on Sundays, legal holidays, and during emergency operating conditions.

L. Prior to call completion and before any charges are incurred, each provider of intrastate operator services, whether local or toll, shall:

1. Identify itself audibly and distinctly, whether automated or live, to the user or billed party; and

2. If automated, provide instructions for the user to dial no more than two digits to obtain rate information and, if live, provide rate information upon request; and

3. If rate information is requested pursuant to subdivision 2 of this subsection, disclose within 90 seconds of such request a quote of its rates or charges for the call to the user or billed party; and

4. After providing rate information, permit the user or billed party to terminate the call at no charge before the call is connected.

M. A payphone instrument shall allow access to 911 emergency service, where available, at no charge to the user. If not available, the PSP must post dialing instructions for accessing emergency service or the emergency agency's number.

N. PSPs may charge fees for incoming calls in excess of one minute.

O. Where available from the serving LEC, the access line service rates for PSPs shall be offered:

1. At a rate not to exceed the serving LEC's private branch exchange trunk flat rate; or

2. At optional message business rate, measured business rate, or a special payphone rate, subject to commission approval.

P. Compliance with subsection O of this section is not intended to preclude the serving LEC from complying with any Federal Communications Commission pricing guidelines or mandates.

20 Va. Admin. Code § 5-407-50

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 9, eff. December 14, 2001.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 56-508.16 of the Code of Virginia.