SECTION 165:58-5-1. Minimum service requirements

(a)   Each payphone service provider is responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair and operation of its payphone service instrument(s).

(b)   All payphone service instruments must be installed in compliance with the National Electrical Code and the National Electrical Safety Code.

(c)   Each payphone service provider is responsible for ensuring that its payphone service instrument(s) is/are registered and connected to the telephone network in compliance with Part 68 of the FCC Rules and Regulations and that the FCC registration number of each instrument to be connected shall be provided to the appropriate telecommunications service provider.

(d)   All installed payphone service instruments must be connected to the public switched network pursuant to tariffs authorized by the Commission and issued by a telecommunications service provider certificated to serve the location where each instrument is located, and each payphone service provider shall ensure that its equipment is installed and maintained such that it does not hinder, interfere with or preclude achievement of the following minimum standards:

(1)   Dial tone: Ninety-five percent (95%) within three (3) seconds;

(2)   Completion of calls: Ninety percent (90%) without encountering an all trunks, busy condition within the central office;

(3)   Local interoffice trunks: Ninety-five percent (95%) of calls offered to the group will not encounter an all trunks busy condition; and

(4)   Intrastate toll connecting trunks: Ninety-seven percent (97%) will not encounter an all trunks busy condition.

(e)   Each payphone service provider may only subscribe to and obtain intrastate service from certificated providers.

(f)   Payphone service providers are precluded from offering only coinless payphones in locations where the payphone service provider has entered into an exclusive contract.

(g)   An audible bell or other sound shall be required to indicate an incoming call, when applicable.

(h)   Each payphone service provider must follow the procedures established to test their payphone service, including each instrument and location.

(i)   All payphone service locations are subject to random and periodic inspections to assure compliance with Commission requirements. An example of the initial form which will be used by the Commission during inspections is attached as Appendix G to this Chapter. Changes to the inspection form may be made periodically to incorporate changes as needed.

(j)   It will be a service objective of each payphone service provider to correct ninety percent (90%) of the interruptions of service on payphones on the next working day after the interruption is reported or discovered.

(k)   Each payphone service provider shall maintain a toll-free number for the purpose of receiving customer trouble reports, which shall be answered twenty-four (24) hours a day.

(l)   At a minimum, all payphone service providers shall:

(1)   Allow access to an end-user's carrier of choice via 101XXXX, 1-800, 1-888 and 950 carrier access code dialing, without a coin;

(2)   Allow free access to emergency calling, without requiring a coin or other method of payment;

(3)   Provide the end-user access to local directory assistance;

(4)   Allow end-users to place local and long distance calls, using any combination of nickels, dimes and quarters or, if the payphone instrument accepts same, currency, or alternative billing mechanisms (for example, but not limited to, calling/credit card calls, collect calls, and third-party billed calls);

(5)   Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the provision of payphone service to the disabled and hearing impaired;

(6)   Ensure all keypads display both alpha and numeric representations;

(7)   Subscribe to incoming call screening and outgoing call screening where available;

(8)   Allow completion of local and long distance calls;

(9)   Allow access to an operator without charge and without the use of a coin;

(10)   Return any end-user deposited amount, if the call is not completed;

(11)   Permit the caller or called party to terminate the call at no charge prior to completion of the call by the payphone service provider;

(12)   Not limit the duration of local calls except for good cause shown through the filing of an application, after approval by the Commission. Any payphone service provider receiving such approval must also post information on or near each such payphone instrument sufficient to adequately inform the payphone end-user of the existence and extent of this limitation;

(13)   Not impose any surcharge to the end-user for access to a telecommunications service provider;

(14)   Not charge any end-user or called number for incomplete or unanswered calls;

(15)   Not attach extension telephones to pay telephones, unless the pay telephone displays a notice that legibly and conspicuously states in capital letters, "YOUR CONVERSATION MAY BE OVERHEARD BECAUSE AN EXTENSION TELEPHONE IS ATTACHED TO THIS PHONE LINE."; and,

(16)   The payphone service provider shall select a site for the payphone that will comply with state and city safety standards.

(m)   Where the technology is not available to payphone service providers from incumbent LECs to allow access to dial 101XXXX calls described in paragraph (1) of subsection (l) of this Section, the requirement will waived until such technology is offered by the incumbent LEC, and in any event not later than July 1, 1998.

(n)   In addition to the requirement of OAC 165:58-5-3, an OSP/Aggregator shall disclose audibly and distinctly to the end-user, at no charge and before connecting any intrastate 0+ call, how to obtain the total cost of the call, including any and all surcharges, or the maximum possible total cost of the call, including any and all surcharges, before providing further oral advice to the end-user on how to proceed to make the call.

(o)   The oral disclosure required in this Section shall instruct end-users that they may obtain applicable rate and surcharge quotations either, at the option of the provider of operator services, by dialing no more than two digits or by remaining on the line.

[Source: Added at 14 Ok Reg 21, eff 9-30-96 (emergency); Added at 14 Ok Reg 1261, eff 5-15-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3106, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2333, eff 7-1-99]