2012 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES (HEADING: PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, @6 (new))
Chapter 72: TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY REFORM
35-A §7201. Definitions

Part 7: TELECOMMUNICATIONS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)

Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

§7201. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]

1. Access to directory assistance. "Access to directory assistance" means access to a service that includes, but is not limited to, making available to customers, upon request, information contained in directory listings.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

2. Access to emergency services. "Access to emergency services" means access to emergency services, as defined in Title 25, section 2921, subsection 5, through 9-1-1 or enhanced 9-1-1 service, as defined in Title 25, section 2921, subsection 6, to the extent a local government in the service area of a provider of last resort service provides 9-1-1 or enhanced 9-1-1 services.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

3. Access to interexchange service. "Access to interexchange service" means the use of the wireline loop, as well as that portion of the switch that is paid for by the end user, or the functional equivalent of these network elements in the case of a wireless carrier, necessary to access an interexchange carrier's network.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

4. Access to operator services. "Access to operator services" means access to any automatic or live assistance by a consumer to arrange for billing for or completion of a telephone call or both.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

5. Dual-tone multifrequency signaling. "Dual-tone multifrequency signaling" means a method of signaling that facilitates the transportation of signaling through a network, shortening call set-up time.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

6. Local usage. "Local usage" means an amount of minutes of use of exchange service within a certain area, prescribed by the commission, provided for a flat rate to end users.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

7. Provider of last resort service. "Provider of last resort service" means a flat-rate service with voice grade access to the public switched telephone network; local usage within the basic service calling areas of incumbent local exchange carriers as of January 1, 2012; dual-tone multifrequency signaling or its functional equivalent; single-party service or its functional equivalent; access to emergency services; access to operator services; access to interexchange service; access to directory assistance; toll limitation for qualifying low-income customers; and the capacity to maintain uninterrupted voice service during a power failure, either through the incorporation into the network or network interface devices of suitable battery backup or through electric current.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

8. Service provider. "Service provider" means an entity designated as a provider of provider of last resort service under this chapter.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

9. Single-party service. "Single-party service" means telecommunications service that permits users to have exclusive use of a wireline subscriber loop or access line for each call placed or, in the case of wireless telecommunications carriers that use spectrum shared among users to provide service, a dedicated message path for the length of a user's particular transmission.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

10. Toll limitation for qualifying low-income customers. "Toll limitation for qualifying low-income customers" means a service provided to customers of provider of last resort service that meet income qualifications established by the commission by rule that allows those customers:

A. To elect not to allow the completion of outgoing toll calls; or [2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]

B. To limit the amount of toll usage that the customer may incur. [2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]

With respect to a service provider that has the capacity to allow customers both options described in paragraphs A and B, "toll limitation for qualifying low-income customers" means a service that offers both options to those customers. With respect to a service provider that does not have the capacity to allow customers both options, "toll limitation for qualifying low-income customers" means a service that offers one of the options to those customers.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

11. Voice grade access. "Voice grade access" means a functionality that offers a minimum bandwidth range of 300 to 3,000 hertz that enables a user of telecommunications services to transmit voice communications, including signaling the network that the caller wishes to place a call, and to receive voice communications, including receiving a signal indicating there is an incoming call.

[ 2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2011, c. 623, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).