180 South Clinton Avenue Original Title Page INTERCITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TARIFF FOR BUDGET CALL LONG DISTANCE, INC. This tariff contains the rules, regulations, descriptions, and rates applicable to the furnishing of intercity telecommunication services offered by Budget Call Long Distance, Inc. within the State of Maryland. CONCURRING CARRIERS None CONNECTING CARRIERS None OTHER CONNECTING CARRIERS None
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT MATTER PAGE NUMBER Title Page...Cover Table of Contents...1 Preliminary Statement...2 Corporate Description...4 Service Area Map...5 Rate Schedule...6 Method of Applying Rates...9 Applicable Taxes...10 Surcharges...10 List of Contracts and Deviations...11 RULES Rule 1 Definitions...12 Rule 2 Description of Service...13 Rule 3 Application for Service...10 Rule 4 Contractual Requirements...20 Rule 5 Credit Establishment...20 Rule 6 Special Form Requirements...20 Rule 7 Deposits...20 Rule 8 Service of Notice...20 Rule 9 Rendering & Payment of Bills...21 Rule 10 Disputed Bills...21 Rule 11 Discontinuance & Restoral of Service...22 Rule 12 Optional Rates and Information Provided to the Public...23 Rule 13 Temporary Service...24 Rule 14 Continuity of Service...24 Rule 15 Employee Service Rates...24 Rule 16 Directory Service...24
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 2 PRELIMINARY STATEMENT This tariff contains all effective rates and rules together with information relating to, and applicable to Budget Call Long Distance, Inc. ("Budget Call"). Budget Call provides specialized intrastate long distance commercial telecommunications services and operator services within the State of Maryland. Budget Call has applied for authority of the Maryland Public Service Commission to provide interlata service within the State of Maryland. Budget Call undertakes to comply with all Maryland PSC Rule Orders and Regulations to include PSC Order 67206 of November 16, 1985.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 3 SYMBOLS USED IN THIS TARIFF (C) (D) (I) (L) (N) (R) (T) To signify changed listing, rule, or condition which may affect rates or charges. To signify discontinued material, including listing, rate, rule, or condition. To signify an increase. To signify material relocated from or to another part of the tariff with no change in text, rate, rule or condition. To signify new material including listing, rate, rule, or condition. To signify reduction. To signify change in wording of text but not change in rate, rule, or condition.
180 South Clinton Avenue First Revised Page 4 Cancels Original Page 4 CORPORATE DESCRIPTION 1.01 Budget Call Long Distance, Inc. Dale M. Gregory 180 South Clinton Avenue (716) 777-8000 (T) 2.01 Budget Call Long Distance, Inc. is a Delaware Corporation The directors of the Corporation are: Dale M. Gregory Louis L. Massaro Darlene S. Abel 2.02 Resident Agent is : Prentice Hall Corporation 11 East Chase Street Suite 7C Baltimore, MD 21202 3.01 Areas Served (Maryland): Entire state 4.01 Budget Call is a privately held corporation. 4.02 Deposits may be required pursuant to Rules 5 and 7 contained in this tariff. ISSUED: May 27, 1994 EFFECTIVE: June 10, 1994 ISSUED BY: Dale M. Gregory
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 5 SERVICE AREA MAP Budget Call provides specialized intrastate long distance telecommunications services within the State of Maryland.
180 South Clinton Avenue Fourth Revised Page 6 Cancels Third Revised Page 6 5.01 Budget Call Rate Schedule RATE SCHEDULE Casual Calling - Option I* No minimum commitment is required. Casual Calling - InterLATA Usage Charges MILEAGE BAND DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $.1300 R $.1300 R $.1300 $.1100 $.1200 $.1100 11-22.1300.1300.1300 R.1200.1300.1200 23-55.1105.1105.1105.1105 R.1105 R.1105 R 56-124.0910.0910.0910.0910.0910.0910 125-292.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R Casual Calling - IntraLATA Usage Charges MILEAGE BAND DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $0.1700 $0.1000 $0.1200 $0.0900 $0.1100 $0.0800 11-16 0.1800 0.1300 0.1500 0.0900 0.1200 0.0800 17-22 0.1900 0.1400 0.1500 0.1000 0.1200 0.0800 23-30 0.1700 0.1530 0.1445 0.1190 0.1105 0.0765 31-40 0.2210 0.1870 0.1955 0.1445 0.1530 0.1020 41-55 0.2210 0.1955 0.1955 0.1615 0.1530 0.1020 56-70 0.2210 0.1955 0.1955 0.1615 0.1615 0.1020 71-124 0.2210 0.1955 0.1955 0.1615 0.1615 0.1020 * - See Grandfathered Casual Calling Rate Schedule. ISSUED: February 12, 1997 EFFECTIVE: January 23, 1997 Issued in Compliance with Order No. 70311 in Case No. 8715 ISSUED BY: Manager-Rates & Tariff Compliance 180 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14646
180 South Clinton Avenue Fourth Revised Page 6.1 Cancels Third Page 6.1 5.01 Budget Call Rate Schedule RATE SCHEDULE Casual Calling - Option II Casual Calling - InterLATA Usage Charges (D) MILEAGE BAND DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $.1430 I $.1430 I $.1430 I $.1210 I $.1320 I $.1210 I 11-22.1430.1430.1430.1320.1430.1320 23-55.1216.1216.1216.1216.1216.1216 56-124.1001.1001.1001.1001.1001.1001 125-292.1001 I.1001 I.1001 I.1001 I.1001 I.1001 I Casual Calling - IntraLATA Usage Charges MILEAGE BAND DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $.1320 R $.1100 I $.1210 I $.0990 I $.1100 $.0880 I 11-16.1320.1320 I.1320 R.0990.1210 I.0880 17-22.1320.1320 R.1320.1100 I.1210 I.0880 I 23-30.1122.1122.1122.1122 R.1122 R.0842 R 31-40.1122.1122.1122.1122.1122.1122 41-55.1122.1122.1122.1122.1122.1122 56-70.1122.1122.1122.1122.1122.1122 71-124.1122 R.1122 R.1122 R.1122 R.1122 R.1122 R BUDGET CALL LONG DISTANCE, INC. Maryland P.S.C. Tariff No. 1 180 South Clinton Avenue Second Revised Page 6.2 Cancels First Revised Page 6.2 ISSUED: April 26, 1996 EFFECTIVE: May 13, 1996 ISSUED BY: Ronald L. Bittner CEO
RATE SCHEDULE 5.01 Budget Call Rate Schedule (Cont'd.) Budget Call Travel Card Service A per-call surcharge of $0.63 will be imposed on all calls. Casual Calling - IntraLATA and InterLATA Usage Charges MILEAGE BAND DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $.2100I $.2000 I $.1700 I $.1600 I $.1700 I $.1600 I 11-22.2400 I.2300 I.1900 I.1900 I.1900 I.1800 I 23-55.2340 I.2250 I.1980 I.1890 I.1890 I.1890 I 56-124.2133 I.2133 I.1896 I.1896 I.1738 I.1738 I 125-292.2212 I.2133 I.2054I.1896 I.1896 I.1817 I ISSUED: April 26, 1996 EFFECTIVE: May 13, 1996 ISSUED BY: Ronald L. Bittner CEO
180 South Clinton Avenue Second Revised Page 6.3 Cancels First Revised Page 6.3 RATE SCHEDULE 5.01 Budget Call Rate Schedule (Cont'd.) Grandfathered Casual Calling Grandfathered Casual Calling will not be available to new customers as of May 1, 1995. Grandfathered Casual Calling - InterLATA Usage Charges MILEAGE BAND DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $.1300 R $.1300 R $.1300 $.1100 $.1200 $.1100 11-22.1300.1300.1300 R.1200.1300.1200 23-55.1170.1170.1170.1170 R.1170 R.1170 R 56-124.0910.0910.0910.0910.0910.0910 125-292.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R.0910 R MILEAGE BAND Grandfathered Casual Calling - IntraLATA Usage Charges DAY DAY EVENING EVENING NIGHT NIGHT 1-10 $.1700 $.1000 $.1200 $.0900 $.1100 $.0800 11-16.1800.1300.1500.0900.1200.0800 17-22.1900.1400.1500.1000.1200.0800 23-30.1800.1620.1530.1260.1170.0810 31-40.2340.1980.2070.1530.1620.1080 41-55.2340.2070.2070.1710.1620.1080 56-70.2340.2070.2070.1710.1710.1080 71-124.2340.2070.2070.1710.1710.1080 ISSUED: February 12, 1997 EFFECTIVE: January 23, 1997 Issued in Compliance with Order No. 73011 in Case No. 8715 ISSUED BY: Manager-Rates & Tariff Compliance 180 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14646
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 7 RATE SCHEDULE (CONT'D) 5.01 Budget Call Rates Schedule (Cont'd.) Determination of Airline Mileage (1) Calls are measured and rounded to the higher full minute from the rating point of the Subscriber's terminal or switch location to the rating point office of the destination of the call. (2) The Rating Points of a call are the central office V & H coordinates of the origination and destination points. (3) The distance between the Rating Point of the Subscriber's switch and destination point is calculated by using the "V" and "H" coordinates found in NECA FCC Tariff No. 4 and on the BellCore V&H coordinate tape, in the following manner: Step 1 - Obtain the "V" and "H" coordinates for the Subscriber's switch and the destination point. Step 2 - Obtain the difference between the "V" coordinates of each of the Rating Points. Obtain the difference between the "H" coordinates. Step 3 - Square the difference obtained in Step 2. Step 4 - Add the squares of the "V" difference and "H" difference obtained in Step 3. Step 5 - Divide the sum of the squares obtained in Step 4 by ten (10). Round to the next higher whole number if any fraction results from the division. Step 6 - Obtain the square root of the whole number obtained in Step 5. Round to the next higher whole number if any fraction is obtained. This is the distance between the Rating Points. ISSUED: June 9, 1995 EFFECTIVE: June 26, 1995
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 8 5.02 Schedule of Rate Periods RATE SCHEDULE (CONT'D) The appropriate rates apply for day, evening and night/weekend calls based on the following chart. MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN 8:00 AM TO DAYTIME RATE PERIOD 5:00 PM* 5:00 PM TO EVENING RATE PERIOD EVE 11:00 PM* 11:00 PM TO NIGHT/WEEKEND RATE PERIOD 8:00 AM* * to, but not including Calls are billed based on the rate in effect for the actual time period(s) during which the call occurs. Calls that cross rate period boundaries are billed the rates in effect in that boundary for each portion of the call.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 9 RATE SCHEDULE (CONT'D.) 5.03 Holiday Discounts The following holidays are recognized for intralata and InterLATA calling: Christmas Day (December 25), New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving Day and Labor Day. The following additional holidays are recognized for interlata calling: Martin Luther King Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, s' Day, and Memorial Day. Applicable rate: The rate applicable for the holidays listed above is the Evening rate unless a lower rate would normally apply. 5.04 Method of Applying Rates (A) Each Customer is charged individually for each call placed through the Carrier. Customers are billed based on their use of Budget Call's long distance service. Rates may vary by call duration, time of day, and originating or terminating access type. (B) Casual Calling Per Minute Usage Charges are based on airline mileage as calculated using formula in Section 3.2 of this tariff. All calls are rounded to the next higher full minute with a minimum billing of one minute per call. (C) Emergency Calls No charge applies to emergency calls to recognized emergency numbers.
180 South Clinton Avenue First Revised Page 10 Cancels Original Page 10 5.05 Applicable Taxes: RATE SCHEDULE (CONT'D.) Customer will be billed for and is liable for payment of all applicable federal, state and local taxes and surcharges. Maryland Gross Receipts taxes are added as a separate line item on the Customer's bill. 5.06 Surcharges: Pursuant to current rules no location surcharges are applied. 5.07 Late Payment Charge The Company reserves the right to impose a Late fee of 1.5% on any past due balance billed. When billing is performed by an outside billing agent, such as a local exchange company, any late payment charge will be assessed according to the rules and regulations of that billing agent. 5.08 Return Check Charge The Company reserves the right to impose a return check charge of $20.00 any check returned for insufficient funds. Any applicable return check charges will be assessed according to the terms and conditions of the billing entity (i.e. local exchange company) and pursuant to Maryland law and regulations. 5.09 Special Offerings From time to time the Company may provide certain special offerings to Customers. The specific terms and conditions are described below. (a) Customers making 10368, Travel Card or Directory Assistance calls on December 31, 1995 will receive an additional 10% discount on all usage charges. (N) (N) _ ISSUED: December 8, 1995 EFFECTIVE: December 29, 1995 ISSUED BY:
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 11 LIST OF CONTRACTS AND DEVIATIONS (None in effect.)
180 South Clinton Avenue First Revised Page 12 Cancels Original Page 12 RULE 1 - DEFINITIONS RULES Carrier or Company Whenever used in this tariff, "Carrier", "Company" or "Budget Call" refers to Budget Call Long Distance, Inc. unless otherwise specified or clearly indicated by the context. Commission The Maryland Public Service Commission. Customer The person, firm, corporation or other entity who accesses the Company's network and receives service via a 10XXX or 101XXXX access code belonging to the Company or any of its affiliates or via the Company's travel card service, or otherwise accesses the Company's network and receives services for which no other Customer is obligated to compensate the Company; and who is responsible for payment of charges and for compliance with the Company's tariffs. Holidays See Section 5.03 of this tariff for Company-recognized holidays. InterLATA Call - Any call which originates and terminates in different LATAs. IntraLATA Call - Any call which originates and terminates within the same LATA. Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) - A geographical area established by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Civil Action No. 17-49 within which a local exchange carrier provides telecommunications services. Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) - The serving telephone company providing local services to subscribers. Travel Card - A service which enables customers to access the Company's network and bill calls while away from their home or office. (T) (T) (N) (N) (T) (T) (N) (N) ISSUED: September 5, 1995 EFFECTIVE: September 26, 1995 ISSUED BY: Dale M. Gregory
180 South Clinton Avenue First Revised Page 13 Cancels Original Page 13 RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE RULES (CONT'D.) (A) Services.1 Casual Calling Casual calling is a specialized service allowing Subscribers to access the Carrier's network by using the dialing sequence "10XXX." As all Casual Calling calls are billed via local exchange carrier monthly invoices, Casual Calling is only available in those areas where a billing and collection agreement exists between the Carrier and the local exchange carrier serving the Subscriber's account. (T) (T).2 Budget Call Travel Card Budget Call Travel Card Service is a one-way dial-in dial-out multipoint service allowing Subscribers to originate calls via a Carrier-provided 800 number. Budget Call Travel Card Subscribers may terminate calls in all cities within the state. All calls are rounded to the next higher full minute. In addition, a per-call surcharge will be imposed on all calls. For purposes of assessing Per Minute Usage Charges, Standard Day, Evening and Night/Weekend calling periods apply. Per Minute Usage Charges are based on airline mileage as calculated using formula in Section 5.01 Determination of Airline Mileage of this tariff. All calls are rounded to the next higher full minute with a minimum billing of one minute per call. (N) (N) (M) - Material on this page has been moved to page 13.1. (M) (M) ISSUED: September 9, 1994 EFFECTIVE: September 30, 1994 ISSUED BY: Dale M. Gregory
180 South Clinton Avenue 1 st Revised Page 13.1 Cancels Original Page 13.1 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (B) Directory Assistance Customers of Budget Call Switched Message Services which use switched access lines may request long distance directory assistance. A Long Distance Directory Assistance charge of $.80 applies to each call to the Directory Assistance Bureau utilizing the services of the Company. Up to two requests may be made on each call to Directory Assistance. The Directory Assistance charge applies to each call regardless of whether the Directory Assistance Bureau is able to furnish the requested telephone number. Directory Assistance charges are not discounted and will not count toward, nor be calculated as part of volume discounts offered under any Budget Call rate plan, except as otherwise described in this tariff. Residential Customers will receive 6 free calls to directory assistance in each billing cycle. (I) ISSUED: June 17, 1997 EFFECTIVE: July 15, 1997 ISSUED BY: Manager-Rates & Tariff Compliance
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 14 RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (C) Timing of Calls RULES (CONT'D.) Billing for calls placed over the network is based in part on the duration of the call Timing for calls begins when the called party answers the call (i.e. when two way communications are established.) Answer detection is based on standard industry answer detection methods, including hardware and software answer detection. There is no billing applied for incomplete calls. Chargeable time for all calls ends when one of the parties disconnects from the call. Minimum call duration for billing purposes is one minute unless otherwise specified in the individual rate schedules of this tariff. Calls are measured and billed in one minute increments unless otherwise indicated in this tariff.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 15 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (D) (E) (F) (G) Service is offered subject to the availability of the necessary facilities or equipment, or both facilities and equipment, and subject to the provisions of this tariff. The Company reserves the right to discontinue service when necessitated by conditions beyond its control, or when the Customer or Subscriber is using the service in violation of the provisions of this tariff, or in violation of the law. The Company does not undertake to transmit messages, but offers the use of its facilities when available, and will not be liable for errors in transmission or for failure to establish connections. Services provided under this tariff shall not be used for unlawful purposes.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 16 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (I) Liability (1) The Company shall not be liable for claim or loss, expense or damage (including indirect, special or consequential damage), for any interruption, delay, error, omission, or defect in any service, facility or transmission provided under this tariff, if caused by any person or entity other than the Company, by any malfunction of any service or facility provided by any other carrier, by an act of God, fire, war, civil disturbance, or act of government, or by any other cause beyond the Company's direct control. (2) The Company shall not be liable for, and shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by Customer and Subscriber against any claim or loss, expense, or damage (including indirect, special or consequential damage) for defamation, libel, slander, invasion, infringement of copyright or patent, unauthorized use of any trademark, trade name or service mark, unfair competition, interference with or misappropriation or violation of any contract, proprietary or creative right, or any other injury to any person, property or entity arising out of the material, data, information, or other content revealed to, transmitted, or used by the Company under this tariff; or for any act or omission of the Customer or Subscriber; or for any personal injury or death of any person caused directly or indirectly by the installation, maintenance, location, condition, operation, failure, presence, use, or removal of equipment or wiring provided by the Company, if not directly caused by negligence of the Company.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 17 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (I) Liability (continued) (3) The Company shall not be liable for any defacement of or damages to the premises of a Subscriber resulting from the furnishing of service which is not the direct result of the Company's negligence. (J) Limitations (1) Service is offered subject to the availability of the necessary facilities and equipment, or both facilities and equipment, and subject to the provisions of this tariff. (2) Budget Call reserves the right to discontinue or limit service when necessitated by conditions beyond its control, or when the Customer is using service in violation of provisions of this tariff, or in violation of the law. (3) The Company does not undertake to transmit messages, but offers the use of its facilities when available, and will not be liable for errors in transmission or for failure to establish connections. (4) All facilities provided under this tariff are directly or indirectly controlled by Budget Call and the Customer may not transfer or assign the use of service or facilities without the express written consent of the Company. Such transfer or assignment shall only apply where there is no interruption of the use or location of the service or facilities. (5) Prior written permission from the Company is required before any assignment or transfer. All regulations and conditions contained in this tariff shall apply to all such permitted assignees or transferees, as well as all conditions of service.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 18 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (J) Limitations (continued) (6) The Company does not offer to process local emergency calls such as "911". Such calls are routed directly to the serving local exchange carrier. In the event that an emergency call is processed for any reason, no charges will apply if placed to recognizable, authorized civil authorities. (K) Obligations of the Subscriber (a) (b) The Carrier shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Subscriber against claims of libel, slander, or the infringement of copyright, or for the unauthorized use of any trademark, trade name, or service mark, arising from the material transmitted over the channels, against claims for infringement of patents arising from, combining with, or using in connection with, channels furnished by the Carrier, apparatus and systems of the Subscriber; and against all other claims arising out of any act or omission of the Subscribers in connection with the channels provided by the Carrier. The facilities provided hereunder by the Carrier may be terminated in Subscriber-provided terminal equipment or Subscriber-provided communication systems. When such terminations are made, the Subscriber shall comply with the minimum protective criteria which shall be no less stringent than the criteria generally accepted in the telephone industry or other appropriate criteria as may be prescribed by the Carrier.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 19 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (K) Obligations of Subscriber (continued) (c) (d) The Customer shall be responsible for all calls placed by or through Customer's equipment by any person. In particular and without limitation to the foregoing, the Customer is responsible for any calls placed by or through the Customer's equipment via any remote access features. The Customer is responsible for all calls placed via their authorization code as a result of the Customer's intentional or negligent disclosure of the authorization code. The Carrier reserves the right of entrance for its employees, agents or contractors to the premises of the Subscriber, at any reasonable hour for the purpose of installing, inspecting, repairing, or upon termination of service, removing the Carrier's channels or equipment. It shall be the responsibility of the Subscriber to make any necessary arrangements with the owners of the premises for the entrance of the Carrier's employees, agents, or contractors. RULE 3 - APPLICATION FOR SERVICE Service is installed upon mutual agreement between the Customer and the Company. No written service agreement is required to initiate service.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 20 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 4 - CONTRACTS - CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS (None in effect. See Application for Service.) RULE 5 - ESTABLISHMENT AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT Credit is established and maintained according to the terms and conditions of the billing local exchange carrier. RULE 6 - SPECIAL INFORMATION REQUIRED ON FORMS (None at this time.) RULE 7 - DEPOSITS The Company reserves the right to collect a deposit from the Customer in the event the Customer's financial condition is unknown or unacceptable to the Company. The amount of the deposit shall not exceed an amount equal to two months estimated billing. The deposit will be maintained in an interest bearing account in a bank or savings institution in the State of Maryland devoted exclusively to such deposits. This account shall secure all refunds of deposits due Maryland Customers in all events, including, but not limited to insolvency or bankruptcy of the carrier, and shall be used for no other purpose. RULE 8 - METHOD OF SERVING NOTICE Any notice the Company may give to a Subscriber will be by written notice mailed to the Subscriber's billing address or to such address as may be subsequently given by the Subscriber to the Company.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 21 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 8 - METHOD OF SERVING NOTICE (CONT'D.) Unless otherwise provided by these rules, any notice from any Subscriber will be given to the Company by the Subscriber or his authorized representative, at the Company's business office or by timely written notice mailed to the Company's business office. RULE 9 - RENDERING AND PAYMENT OF BILLS All charges due by the Customer are payable to any agency duly authorized to receive such payments. RULE 10 - DISPUTED BILLS Any objection to billed charges should be promptly reported to the Company's billing agent. Adjustments to Customer's bills shall be made to the extent that records are available and circumstances exist which reasonably indicate that such changes are appropriate. In the case of a billing dispute between the Customer and the carrier for service furnished to the Customer, which cannot be settled with mutual satisfaction, the Customer can take the following course of action within 45 days of the billing date: (A) First, the Customer may request, and the carrier will comply with the request, an in-depth review of the disputed amount. (The undisputed portion and subsequent bills must be paid on a timely basis or the service may be subject to disconnection.) (B) Second, if there is still a disagreement about the disputed amount after the investigation and review by a manager of the carrier, the Customer may file an appropriate complaint with the Maryland Public Service Commission.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 22 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 10 - DISPUTED BILLS (CONT'D.) The address of the Maryland Public Service Commission is: Maryland Public Service Commission 6 St. Paul Centre Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (410) 767-8112 or, in state, (800) 492-0474 RULE 11 - DISCONTINUANCE AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE When Budget Call's service is provided to Customers who are patrons of Subscribers, cancellation of service by the Subscriber or Company is covered by the terms of the individual contract. Budget Call may refuse or discontinue service under the following conditions provided that, unless otherwise stated, the Customer or Subscriber shall be given 15 days written notice to comply with any rule or remedy any deficiency: (A) For non-compliance with or violation of any State, municipal, or Federal law, ordinance or regulation pertaining to telephone service. (B) (C) For use of telephone service for any purpose other than that described in the application. For neglect or refusal to provide reasonable access to Budget Call or its agents for the purpose of inspection and maintenance of equipment owned by Budget Call or its agents. (D) For noncompliance with or violation of Commission regulation or Budget Call's rules and regulations on file with the Commission, provided ten (10) days' written notice is given before termination. (E) For nonpayment of bills, provided that suspension or termination of service shall not be made without five (5) business days written notice to the Customer.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 23 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 11 - DISCONTINUANCE AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE (CONT'D.) (F) Without notice in the event of Subscriber or Customer use of equipment in such a manner as to adversely affect Budget Call's equipment or service to others. (G) Without notice in the event of tampering with the equipment or services owned or managed by Budget Call or its agents. (H) (I) Without notice in the event of unauthorized or fraudulent use of service. Whenever service is discontinued for fraudulent use of service, Budget Call may, before restoring service, require the Subscriber to make, at his or her own expense, all changes in facilities or equipment necessary to eliminate illegal use and to pay an amount reasonably estimated as the loss in revenues resulting from such fraudulent use. Without notice by reason of any order or decision of a court or other government authority having jurisdiction which prohibits Carrier from furnishing such services. (J) With notice for periods of inactivity over sixty (60) days. RULE 12 - OPTIONAL RATES AND INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC In the event of adoption by the Company of new or optional schedules of rates, the Company will advise its Subscribers that they are available. A copy of this tariff schedule and advice letters will be available for public inspection in Budget Call's business office during regular business hours. Budget Call will post in a conspicuous place in its business office, a notice to the effect that a copy of this tariff schedule and advice letters as filed with the MD.P.S.C. are available for public inspection.
180 South Clinton Avenue Original Page 24 RULES (CONT'D.) RULE 13 - TEMPORARY SERVICE Temporary service or service to speculative projects will be provided if consistent with the best interest of the carrier. Rates and conditions for such service will be those published in this tariff schedule. RULE 14 - CONTINUITY OF SERVICE In the event of foreknowledge of an interruption of service for a period exceeding 24 hours, the Subscribers will be notified in writing, by mail, at least one week in advance. RULE 15 - EMPLOYEE SERVICE (There are no employee rates in effect.)