Further Definition (Rule 200)

As used in Rules 201 through 205, “bill” or “billing statement” refers to a written request for payment listing charges for goods and services that is mailed or otherwise delivered to the customer for payment. A billing statement may be provided to the customer in an electronic format with the customer’s consent. Oral notice of the amount of charges pending is not a bill. Bills include requests for payments for services rendered by other telephone companies or other entities that are not telephone companies. This rule does not apply to billings between or among telephone companies. (3-31-22) 201. ISSUANCE OF BILLING STATEMENTS -- CONTENTS OF BILLS -- RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICE (RULE 201). 01. Local Exchange Service. Billing statements for residential and small business local exchange service will be regularly issued and must contain the following information: (3-31-22) a. The date the billing statement is issued; (3-31-22) b. The time period covered by the billing statement; (3-31-22) c. The due date by which payment must be received unless the customer has authorized automatic monthly payment. If automatic payment is authorized, the customer must be informed in writing when funds will be withdrawn from a bank account or charged to a credit card account. In addition, the billing statement must state the actual or earliest possible date that funds will be withdrawn or the credit card charged unless the customer consents otherwise in writing at the time automatic payment is authorized; (7-1-25) d. Any amounts transferred from another account; (3-31-22) e. Any amounts past due; (3-31-22) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 31.41.01 Public Utilities Commission Telephone Customer Relations Rules Section 202 Page 8 f. Any payments or credits applied to the customer’s account since the last bill; (3-31-22) g. The total amount due; (3-31-22) h. Names of all telephone companies or entities providing goods and services for which the customer is billed, sufficient information to readily identify the goods and services provided, and the amounts charged; (3-31-22) i. The toll-free telephone number(s) available to customers for answering inquiries and resolving complaints about goods and services billed; (3-31-22) j. An itemization of charges for goods and services provided to the customer and any associated fees, taxes, surcharges or subscriber line charges. Charges for each good or service provided as part of a package under a single price, or calling plans in which individual calls are billed at a flat rate regardless of usage need not be separately itemized. (3-31-22) 02. MTS Bills. In addition to the requirements of Rule 201.01, bills for MTS service must identify the number called and the date, time, duration, destination and charge for each call, unless the customer has selected a flat rate calling plan. For collect and third-party calls, the MTS provider must also itemize the origin of the call. (7-1-25) 03. Other Services. No telephone company may send demand letters or initiate collection efforts for any amount owed by a customer who subscribes to or is billed for services other than local exchange service and MTS services provided by another telephone company unless the bill separately lists those services as required by this rule. (3-31-22) 04. Customer Request for Less Detail. Upon customer request, telephone companies may provide billing statements containing less detail than required by this rule. Telephone companies must make available without charge detailed billing information for the preceding twelve (12) months to those customers who have elected to receive less detail on monthly billing statements but subsequently request more detail. (3-31-22)