Payment Arrangements (Rule 309)

01. Arrangements Allowed. When a customer cannot pay a bill in full, the telephone company may continue to serve the customer if the customer and the telephone company agree on a reasonable portion of the outstanding bill to be paid immediately, and the manner in which the balance of the outstanding bill will be paid. (3-31-22) 02. Reasonableness. In deciding on the reasonableness of a particular agreement, the telephone company will take into account the customer’s ability to pay, the size of the unpaid balance, the customer’s payment history and length of service, and the amount of time and reasons why the debt is outstanding. (3-31-22) 03. Application of Payment. Payments are to be applied first to the undisputed past due balance owed by the customer for local exchange services. In discussing or negotiating payment arrangements, the telephone company shall advise the customer what amount of payment the customer must allocate to local exchange service or to long-distance service or other goods and services in order to retain those goods and services. (3-31-22) 04. Second Arrangement. If a customer fails to make the payment by the agreed due date, the telephone company may, but is not obligated to, enter into a second arrangement. (3-31-22) 05. When Arrangement Not Binding. No payment arrangement binds a customer if it requires the customer to forego any right provided for in these rules. (3-31-22) 310. DENIAL, RESTRICTION, MODIFICATION, OR TERMINATION OF LONG-DISTANCE SERVICE OR OTHER SERVICES (RULE 310). 01. Compliance. Telephone companies providing long-distance services must provide reasonable notice before modifying a customer’s existing service. (7-1-25) 02. Failure to Pay. A customer’s failure to pay for undisputed long-distance charges billed by the local exchange company may result in loss of 0+ or 0- and 1+ dialing access to long-distance services until such time as the customer pays the undisputed charges and any applicable reconnection charges. (3-31-22) 03. Loss of Services. Customer failure to pay undisputed charges for other services may result in loss of those services. (3-31-22)