| (a) Free blocking. Within 90 days of being declared
a dominant carrier, all dominant certificated telecommunications utilities
(DCTUs) are required, upon request from the end user only, to block
access to all pay-per-call information services when a call is placed
to a 1-900-XXX-XXXX or 976-XXXX number. There will be no charge to
the end user for the first blocking request when pay-per-call information
service blocking is first installed on the end user's line. However,
there may be a non-recurring charge applicable for subsequent blocking
requests, if prior blocking has been removed and is being reinstated.
(b) Subscription to blocking.
(1) End users not currently receiving blocking. To
restrict access to pay-per-call information services, end users must
order blocking either orally or by using a written ballot. Within
60 days of being declared a DCTU, each DCTU must notify its end users
of the free blocking opportunity and send a post-paid ballot to all
existing end users (either through bill inserts or a separate mailing)
allowing them to choose whether they want to restrict access to pay-per-call
information services.
(2) New end users must be offered free blocking of
pay-per-call information service calls at the time of their service
order. There will be no charge to the end user for the first blocking
request, but there may be a non-recurring charge applicable for subsequent
blocking requests.
(3) End users electing not to restrict access to pay-per-call
information services will have access to all 900 and 976 pay-per-call
information services available in their service area.
(c) Mandatory blocking. In areas where restricting
access to pay-per-call information services on a selective, per-line
basis is not technically possible, all access to the pay-per-call
information services must be blocked.
(1) End users whose access to pay-per-call information
services is blocked pursuant to this provision shall be notified prior
to the time of the blocking that such blocking will take place, the
fact that such blocking is being done pursuant to this section, and
that such blocking is required due to the fact that restriction of
access to such services is not technically possible at that time.
(2) Once an area that has been mandatorily blocked
attains the technological capability to provide per-line blocking,
the DCTU shall provide the notice and balloting procedures set out
in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. A blocking request from
the end user received thereafter by the DCTU shall be treated as an
initial blocking request and implemented without charge.
(d) Disconnection. A DCTU may not disconnect an end
user's local telephone service for nonpayment of charges for pay-per-call
information service. A DCTU may implement involuntary blocking of
pay-per-call information service for nonpayment of charges for pay-per-call
information service.
(e) Compliance. Each DCTU that is subject to rate of
return regulation under Public Utility Regulatory Act, Chapter 53
shall file tariffs in compliance with this section. The compliance
tariffs will be reviewed by staff. Within 35 days of the date of filing
of the tariffs, the tariffs will either be approved or the effective
date of the tariff will be suspended for further review.
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