Section 378:17-c Requirements for Nonpublic Utility Providers of Telephone Services.


   I. In this section, ""nonpublic utility provider of telephone services'' includes, but is not limited to, a hotel, motel, hospital, university, or similar place of temporary accommodation.
   II. Every nonpublic utility provider of telephone services shall display or post on or near the telephone equipment so as to be easily seen by telephone users a notice of the existence of standard and resale charges and the in-room location of information on all of the charges applicable to all of the available telephone services. These charges shall be separately stated, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
      (a) Individual customer telephone service activation deposits or fees, if any.
      (b) Charges for use of telephone services, including any charges for calls not completed.
   III. The public utilities commission shall, by rule or order, adopt and enforce operating requirements applicable to operator-assisted telephone services, whether furnished by a telephone corporation or other than a telephone corporation, for nonpublic utility providers of telephone services owning or operating message switching or billing equipment solely for the purpose of reselling services provided by a telephone corporation to its patients or guests. These operating requirements shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
      (a) That there be displayed or posted on or near the telephone equipment so as to be easily seen by telephone users a notice stating the identity of the nonpublic utility provider of the telephone services and the in-room location of information on: the method for obtaining the rates, terms, or conditions of operator-assisted services; the operator-assisted services provider's procedures for handling complaints; the means by which the telephone user may gain access to other providers of operator-assisted services; and the means by which the telephone user may gain access to the services of the telephone corporation operating within the service area within which the telephone services of the nonpublic utility provider are furnished. The information shall also provide the telephone number of the public utilities commission to which questions or complaints may be directed.
      (b) That, when contacted for service by the telephone user, the operator-assisted services provider orally identify itself by name prior to the connection of the telephone call or the commencement of any charges.
      (c) That the telephone equipment permit access by the telephone user to any other provider of operator-assisted services generally available in the service area.
   IV. Nonpublic utility providers of telephone services using a PBX switch or similar equipment shall be considered telephone utilities for purposes of RSA 106-H:8. Nonpublic utility providers of telephone services shall comply with the telephone utility requirements of RSA 106-H:8 no later than January 1, 2007.

Source. 2001, 248:1, eff. Sept. 11, 2001.