Union River Telephone Regulations

P.O. Box 100
Aurora, Maine 04408-0100
Tel. 207-584-9911 Fax 207-584-9997
Toll Free 1-800-944-5404
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Union River Telephone Company is a telecommunications carrier committed to providing high quality basic and enhanced services at reasonable rates to all subscribers throughout its service territory. Basic services are offered at the following monthly rates:

  • Single Party Residence-Economy $17.58
  • Single Party Residence-Premium $19.08
  • Single Party Business-Economy $35.17
  • Single Party Business-Premium $38.28
  • Emergency 911 Service Fee $0.35
  • Maine Universal Service Fund Fee  $0.44
  • Tone Dialing Service-Residence $1.00
  • Tone Dialing Service-Business $1.25

As a part of its service commitment to subscribers, Union River Telephone Company continually provides voice grade access to the public switched network, interexchange carriers, telecommunications relay service and 911 emergency services. Union River Telephone Co. also provides access to operator services and directory assistance. Furthermore, customers can report service trouble to the Company twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Basic services are offered to all customers in the Company’s service territory at the rates, terms and conditions specified in the Company’s Provider of Last Resort Tariff on file with the Maine Public Utilities Commission and through this link.

Union River Telephone understands the importance of consumers having access to quality local telephone service. To help consumers obtain and keep their local service, Union River Telephone offers Lifeline Service, which is a government assistance program that is available to eligible consumers, is non-transferable and is limited to one discount per household. Qualifying low-income individuals subscribing to residential service that are eligible for the Lifeline telephone assistance program will receive discounts off basic local charges and are eligible for toll blocking at no charge. In order to qualify for Lifeline, a member of the household must be enrolled in at least one of the following programs:

  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Income-based eligibility
  • Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension Benefit

or the combined household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Union River Telephone Company business office during business hours.


Union River Telephone Company
Schedule of

Rates
Terms and Conditions
for
Provider of Last Resort Service

Union River Telephone Company
Provider of Last Resort Service
Original Schedule of Rates, Terms and Conditions

Download a printable PDF of the URT Regulations
Union River Provider of Last Resort Service Information

Issued: September 26, 2012
Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2012
Effective:
Docket No.:
 Docket No.2012-00477
William S. Silsby, Jr., Manager

Table of Contents

Section Definitions…………………………………………………….1
General Provisions…………………………………………………….2
Description of Service Charges………………………………….3
Residential Economy Service……………………………………..4
Residential Premium Service……………………………………..5
Business Economy Service…………………………………………6
Business Premium Service…………………………………………7
Rate Schedules…………………………………………………………..8

Definitions of Terms

Listed below are definitions of various terms used in this tariff or in common use in the telephone business.

Access Line
The facilities from the Telephone Company’s Central Office up to and including the Company-provided Network Interface or First Point of Connection located on the Customer’s Premises.

Authorized User
The term “Authorized User”, as used in connection with retail Provider of Last Resort Service, denotes those individuals authorized by the Telephone Company to use a customer’s telephone service. It includes the members of his household, employees or agents of the customer, and residential tenants of hotels, clubs etc.

Basic Service Calling Area (BSCA)
BSCA is the local (non-interexchange) calling area of the “home exchange” of a customer of the Company. The BSCA includes all exchanges that were BSCA prior to the amendments effective December 2002 plus all exchanges that are contiguous to the home exchange that were not included prior to the December 2002 amendments. Within a BSCA, there may be Economy and Premium calling options with flat-rate and per-minute pricing as specified in the definitions of those options. For all options, the BSCA includes all of the exchanges that are included in the calling option with the largest flat-rate calling area. Business Service POLR Service which is provided to Customers that: (1) is used principally or substantially for business, professional or occupational purposes; or (2) is associated with a telephone number that is included in any form of advertising for any business purpose.

Central Office
A switching unit in a telephone system, providing service to the general public, having the necessary equipment and operating arrangements for terminating and interconnecting Customer lines and Trunks or Trunks only. There may be more than one Central Office in a building or Exchange.

Class of Service
The various categories of service generally available to the Customer, such as Business or Residential service.

Commission
The Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Company
Union River Telephone Company, as applicable, corporation engaged in the business of furnishing telephone service to the public under the jurisdiction of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Connection Charge See
“Service Connection Charge.”

Continuous Property
The plot of ground, together with any buildings thereon, occupied by the Customer, which is not divided by public highways or separated by property occupied by others. Where a Customer occupies property on both side of a street, alley, highway, body of water, railroad right-of-way, etc. and the properties would otherwise be continuous, such properties are treated as Continuous Property provided local wire and cable facilities are used and the Customer furnishes all local distribution pole line facilities or underground conduit required in connection therewith.

Contract
Refers to the agreement, either written or verbal, between a Customer and the Company under which service and facilities are furnished in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Schedules as approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Customer
An individual, partnership, association, corporation or other entity which contracts for telephone service and is responsible for the payment of charges and compliance with the terms and conditions of the Company.

Demarcation Point
The point of interconnection or demarcation between Telephone Company communications facilities and customer-premises wire or Terminal Equipment at a Subscriber’s Premises. The demarcation point between Company facilities and Customer premise wire on the Subscriber’s side of the Company’s protector (or equivalent thereof in cases where a protector is not employed) at the Network Interface, or if there is no Network Interface, at, but not including, the protector or equivalent.

Economy Calling Area
The Customer’s basic-service calling area that has a flat monthly rate for unlimited calling within the Customer’s Home Exchange and the list of Exchanges identified in connection with the particular Home Exchange in Sections 4.4 A and 6.4 A and a per-minute rate for calling to the list of Exchanges identified in connection with the Home Exchange in Sections 4.4.B and 6.4.B of this Tariff.

Exchange
A geographical unit established for the administration of communication service in a specified area. It generally consists of one or more central offices together with the associated plant used in furnishing communications service within that area.

Exchange Area
The territory served by an Exchange.

Home Exchange
The Exchange in which the customer is located and service is provided.

Initial Service Period
The minimum length of time for which a Customer is obligated to pay for service, facilities, and equipment, whether or not retained by the Customer for such minimum length of time.

Installation Charge
See Service Connection Charge.

Local Service Area
The area within which telephone service is furnished under a specific schedule of rates without the application of specific charges for each Message.

Message
A completed communication between two telephone numbers.

Minimum Service (Contract) Period
The minimum length of time for which a customer is obligated to pay for service, facilities, and equipment, whether or not retained by the Customer for such minimum length of time.

Move Charge
A Service Charge a Customer is required to pay when, at the Customer’s request, the Customer’s service is relocated from one location to another on the same Premises.

Municipality
A term applied to a city, town, plantation, or township, but not to applied to any entity larger than a city; for example, a county.

Network Interface
A specifically designated standard FCC Registration Program jack that is installed by the Telephone Company as part of the Access Line at a Customer’s Premises, at a location determined by the Company, which is accessible to the Customer; or a similar device provided by the Customer at a location on the Customer’s side of the protector in the vicinity of the protector and accessible to the Customer. The Network Interface is located on the Customer’s Premises and serves as the point of connection for all Premises services to the telecommunications network.

Premises
A dwelling unit, other building or a legal unit of real property such as a lot on which a customer’s dwelling unit or place of business is located.

Premium Calling Area
The Customer’s basic-service calling area that has a flat monthly rate for unlimited calling within the Customer’s Home Exchange and the list of Exchanges identified in connection with the particular Home Exchange in Sections 5.4 and 7.4 of this Tariff.

Provider of Last Resort Service (POLR Service)
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 multi-frequency 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 provider shall make a reasonable effort to maintain voice service, subject to limitations of transmission path and backup power, during a power failure. For purposes of this Schedule, all terms included within the definition of provider of last resort have the same meanings as set forth in 35-A MRSA § 7201. POLR Service consists of Residential Economy Service, Residential Premium Service, Business Economy Service, or Business Premium Service as set forth in this Schedule.

Residential Service
POLR Service provided to the Customer when the actual use is primarily for domestic purposes and the telephone number associated with the service is not included in any form of advertising for any business purpose.

Schedule
The rates, charges, rules, regulations, and separately filed franchise area maps adopted and filed by the Company and approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Service Connection Charge
The charge or charges that apply to the establishment of telephone service or subsequent modifications to that service. For example, Service Connection Charges include: 1) Initial Connection Charge and 2) Service Order Charge.

Serving Exchange
The Exchange in which a Customer’s serving Central Office is located.

Subscriber
Same as Customer.

Switch
A unit of dial switching equipment which provides interconnection between Station lines or Trunks.

Telephone Company
The term “Telephone Company” or “Company” denotes the Union River Telephone Company unless otherwise stated.

Termination Charge
A charge applied under certain circumstances when service is terminated by the Customer prior to the expiration of the Minimum Service (Contract) Period.

Unauthorized Attachment or Connection
Any customer-provided terminal equipment, communications systems or accessory which is attached to the facilities of the Telephone Company contrary to the provisions of this tariff.

General Provisions

2.1 Compliance With Commission Rules
Union River Telephone Company agrees to comply with all Rules of the Maine Public Utilities Commission to the extent they apply to Provider of Last Resort Service, including but not limited to:

Chapter 110: Rules of Practice and Procedure;
Chapter 120: Filing Requirements for Rates, Terms and Conditions;
Chapter 130: Safety and Accident Reporting;
Chapter 140: Utility Service Area and Infrastructure Maps;
Chapter 200: Reporting Requirements for Telecommunications Carrier’s Service Outages;
Chapter 204: Basic-Service Calling Area;
Chapter 210: Uniform System of Accounts for Telephone Utilities;
Chapter 285: Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund;
Chapter 288: High Cost Universal Service Fund;
Chapter 290: Standards for Billing, Credit and Collection and Customer Information for Eligible Telecommunications Carriers Providing Basic Telephone Service;
Chapter 296: Selection of Preferred Telecommunications Carriers and the Imposition Of Preferred Carrier Freezes;
Chapter 297: Anti-Cramming Rule: Registration Requirements, Complaint Procedures and Penalty Provisions for Service Providers and Billing Aggregators;
Chapter 870: Late Payment Charges, Interest Rates to be Paid on Customer Deposits And Charges for Returned Checks;
Chapter 880: Attachment to Joint-Use Utility Poles; Determination and Allocation of Costs; Procedure;
Chapter 89: Confidentiality of Customer Records;
Chapter 895: Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements;

2.2 Application of Terms and Conditions

A. The terms and conditions set forth herein apply to intrastate retail provider of last resort service furnished within the State of Maine by Union River Telephone Company, hereinafter referred to as the Company, subject to the jurisdiction of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Exchanges Served by Union River Telephone Company Aurora Beddington Otis

B. When services are provided in part by the Company and in part by other companies, the terms and conditions of the Company apply to that portion of the service furnished by the Company.

2.3 Credit, Deposits, Billing and Disconnection

A. Establishment of Credit. The Company is not obligated to establish, furnish or continue to furnish service to any individual or firm that owes for service previously rendered at the same or a different address until arrangements have been made to liquidate such previous indebtedness to the Company pursuant to Chapter 290 of the Commission’s Rules.

B. Deposits. The Company may require the Customer to provide a deposit pursuant to the terms contained in Chapters 290 and 870 of the Commission’s Rules before POLR Service is provisioned to the Customer.

C. Billing. The Customer is responsible for all charges in conjunction with the service furnished him including credit card, third party, and collect toll messages which have been accepted at the Customer’s telephone. D. Disconnection. The Company may disconnect service in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 290 of the Commission’s Rules in the event the Customer fails to pay properly rendered bills.

2.4 Equipment Provision

A. The Company shall own the Network Interface and any associated facilities for provisioning of service to a customer location.

B. No equipment, apparatus, circuit, or device not furnished by the Company shall be directly attached or connected electrically or optically with the facilities furnished by the Company, except as provided in this Schedule, or otherwise authorized in writing by the Maine Public Utilities Commission. In no event may any equipment, apparatus, or device be connected in any manner with the facilities furnished by the Company unless the connection of such equipment, apparatus, or device complies with the provisions of Part 68 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission. In case any such unauthorized attachment or connection is made, the Company shall have the right to remove or disconnect the same, or to terminate the service.

C. The provisions of the preceding shall not be construed or applied to bar a Customer from using devices which serve the Customer’s convenience in the Customer’s use of the facilities of the Company provided any such device so used does not:

1. Endanger the safety of the Company employees or the public;

2. Damage, require change in or alteration of, or involve direct electrical connection to, the equipment or other facilities of the Company, unless as provided for elsewhere in this Schedule;

3. Interfere with the proper functioning of such equipment or facilities;

4. Impair the operation of the communication system; and/or

5. Otherwise injure the public in its use of the Company’s services.

2.5 Minimum Service (Contract) Period

A. Except as specified elsewhere in this Schedule, the Minimum Service Period is one month from the date service or additions to service are established and the minimum charge is the authorized rate for one month. For purposes of rate administration, each month is considered to have 30 days.

B. The Company may require a Contract period longer than one month at same location in connection with special types of arrangements of equipment or for unusual construction necessary to meet specific demands for service.

2.6 Abuse or Fraudulent Use of the Service

A. The service is furnished subject to the condition that there will be no abuse or fraudulent use of the service. Abuse or fraudulent use of service includes:

1. The use of service or facilities of the Company to transmit a Message or to locate a person or otherwise to give or obtain information, without payment of the charge applicable for such service;

2. The obtaining, or attempting to obtain, or assisting another to obtain or to attempt to obtain service, by rearranging, tampering with, or making connection with any facilities of the Company, or by any trick or scheme, false representation, or false credit device, or by or through any other fraudulent means or device whatsoever, with the intent to avoid payment, in whole or in part, of the regular charge for such service.

3. The use of service or facilities of the Company for a call or calls, anonymous or otherwise, if in a manner reasonably to be expected to frighten, abuse, torment, or harass another;

4. The use of the service in such manner as to interfere unreasonably with the use of the service by one or more other Customers; and/or

5. The impersonation of another.

B. Service may be discontinued if there is abuse or fraudulent use of the service as outlined in 2.6 A.

2.7 Use of the Service for Unlawful Purposes

The service is furnished subject to the condition that it shall not be used for any unlawful purposes. If the Company determines that the Customer is using the service provided by the Company for unlawful purposes, the Company reserves the right to disconnect the Customer’s service. Any Customer whose service is to be discontinued will be notified by the Company of that Customer’s or applicant’s right to bring complaint before the Maine Public Utilities Commission to determine whether or not such service is being used in violation of this rule. Upon complaint to the Commission by any applicant or Customer who is affected by the refusal or discontinuance of service in accordance with this rule, such service shall be provided, continued or restored if the Commission shall determine that the service has not been used in violation of this rule.

2.8 Telephone Numbers

A. A Customer has no ownership right for, or property right to, the telephone number associated with the service provided pursuant to this Schedule nor any right to continuance of service through any particular Central Office.

B. The Company reserves the right to change the Customer’s telephone number or the Central Office associated with such number, or both, upon 30 days written notice, as may be required for the proper conduct of its business.

2.9 Maintenance and Repair Obligations

A. Whenever it is determined that the Customer is responsible for damage to or loss of Telephone Company-provided equipment, the Customer will be billed for the Cost of such equipment. The Customer shall not be deemed responsible for acts of God or unavoidable accidents.

B. Access to the Customer’s premises, at any reasonable hour, will be given to representatives of the Company for the purpose of inspecting, repairing, testing, or removing any part of the Company’s facilities.

2.10 Directory Listings

If the Company publishes a telephone directory, the Company will include a single listing within the published directory indicating the name, address, and telephone number of each Provider of Last Resort Retail Service customer. Customers who do not wish to be listed in the Company’s published directory or who wish to be listed in a manner other than the standard format provided by the Company may obtain a modification of their directory listing by entering into an alternate listing agreement with the Company pursuant to Rates, Terms and Conditions available upon request from the Company’s Business Office.

2.11 Line Extensions

In the event a customer location requires a line extension to connect the customer location to the public switched telephone network, the Company shall provide such a line extension pursuant to the Rates, Terms, and Conditions for Line Extensions which are available upon request from the Company’s Business Office.

2.12 Limitation of Liability

A. The liability of the Company for damages arising out of mistakes, omissions, interruptions, delays, or errors or defects in transmission occurring in the course of furnishing service and not caused by negligence of the Customer shall in no event exceed an amount equivalent to the proportionate charge to the Customer for the period of service during which such mistakes, omissions, interruptions, delays, or errors or defects in transmission occur, based on these factors being reported to the Company’s Repair Department and allowance of 24 hours for repairs.

B. The Customer indemnifies and saves the Company harmless against the following:

1. Acts or omissions of other companies when facilities are used in connection with the Company’s facilities to provide service;

2. Any defacement or damage to the Customer’s Premises resulting for the existence of the Company’s instruments, apparatus, and associated wire on such Premises, or from the installation or removal thereof, when such defacement or damage is not the result of the negligence of the Company or its employees;

3. Any accident, injury, or death occasioned by its equipment or facilities, when such is not due to negligence of the Company;

4. Claims for libel, slander, or infringement of copyright arising from the material transmitted or recorded over its facilities; claims for infringement of patents arising for combining with, or using in connection with, facilities of the Company, apparatus and systems of the Customer; and against all other claims arising out of any act or omission of the Customer in connection with facilities provided by the Company; and

5. Liability for failure to provide service (as per Section 2.12 A).

2.13 Intrastate Surcharges and Taxes

The Company shall at its option be permitted to charge and collect all applicable taxes and surcharges on intrastate retail services offered pursuant to this Schedule, including but not limited to the following:

A. Enhanced Universal Emergency Number Service
E911 Surcharge as provided in 25 MRSA § 2927 applies per month on each Residence an Business account.

B. Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund Surcharge
The Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund (MTEAF) surcharge as provided in 35-A MRSA § 7104-B applies per month as a percentage, established by the Commission, of each Residence and Business Customer’s bill for all intrastate retail charges for telecommunications service.

C. Maine Universal Service Fund (MUSF) Surcharge
A surcharge for the Maine Universal Service Fund (MUSF) applies to all intrastate services billed to a retail Customer for bills rendered after May 15, 2003. The surcharge shall not apply to surcharges such as those for Enhanced 911, the Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund, or similar funds. The surcharge shall be equal to the Revenue Percentage established quarterly by the Administrator of the MUSF.

D. Service Provider Tax Surcharge

Consistent with Title 36 MRSA c. 358, § 2552, the Service Provider Tax surcharge will be applied monthly on the value of telecommunications services billed, and identified as such beginning with bills rendered on or after July 1, 2004. The amount of the surcharge is an equivalent pass-through of the charges assessed to the Company pursuant to Title 36 MRSA c. 358, § 2552.

E. ConnectME Surcharge

The ConnectME surcharge applies to retail Customer bills rendered after September 15, 2007. The surcharge shall be equal to a percentage, established by the ConnectME Fund Administrator, of communications services as defined by Chapter 101 of the Rules of the ConnectME Authority.

2.14 Payment for Service

The Customer is responsible for payment to the Company for all charges in conjunction with services furnished by the Company to the Customer in accordance with this Schedule of Rates, Terms, and Conditions.

Service Charges

3.1 General

A. The term “Service Charge” as specified herein and in other Sections of the Tariff, is defined as a charge or charges applying to the ordering, installing, moving, changing, rearranging, or furnishing of telephone service, miscellaneous and supplemental equipment and other telephone facilities.

B. Service charges are in addition to all other rates and charges that may be applicable for service and equipment provided by the Company. Other rates and charges include, but are not limited to, one-time charges and non-recurring charges.

3.2 Rates

See Section 8.1 for applicable Service Charges

3.3 Application of Service Charge

A. The Initial Connection Charge is applicable for requests for:

1. Initial connection of provider of last resort retail service; and

2. Transfer of provider of last resort retail service involving a request for a final bill or, if a final bill is not requested, a refusal of the future Customer to accept full responsibility for the former Customer’s account.

B. The Service Order Charge is applicable for subsequent Customer requests for connections, moves or changes to an established provider of last resort retail service.

C. The Initial Connection Charge and Service Order Charge cannot be applied on the same order. When an order requires work for which both the Initial Connection Charge and Service Order Charge would otherwise be applied, only the Initial Connection Charge is applicable.

D. In case of equipment for which the Initial Contract (termination agreement) period is more than one month at the same location, the Subscriber may arrange for the change of location on the same or to different Premises in the same Exchange area by one of the following methods:

1. By terminating the Contract for service at the old location, and signing a new application. In this case the Subscriber is required to pay the sum of any Terminating Charges which may be applicable plus the Installation Charges which would apply in the case of a new installation.

2. By paying the Cost of making the change in location including the Cost of removing all the equipment from the old locations and the Cost of installing the equipment at the new locations. In this case the Contract period is not affected.

E. “Cost” as used in this section is to be interpreted to mean the cost of labor and material including charges for supervision and other overhead expenses.

3.4 Exceptions

A. Service Charges do not apply for the following:

1. Visits to a Customer’s Premises solely for the purpose of repair, maintenance or disconnection of Telephone Company provided service and equipment.

2. Changes from Premium to Economy service or changes from any service other than Provider of Last Resort Retail Service to Provider of Last Resort Service.

3. Service reestablished after the destruction of the residential Customer’s Premises by fire, flood, or other similar causes beyond the Customer’s control, where the same amount of service is reestablished within a reasonable period of time at the same or different location. If, under the preceding conditions, service is installed at another location and then subsequently reestablished at the original location, Service Charges will apply for the subsequent installation.

4. A change of telephone number when initiated by the Company.

5. Any work functions required not due to Customer’s request.

B. To the extent the Commission requires application of a discount to installation charges for customers who have complied with the certification requirements and qualified for Lifeline service pursuant to Part 54 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission, the Company shall apply such Commission ordered discounts to the installation charges associated with an initial connection of provider of last resort retail service.

Residential Economy Service

4.1 Eligibility

A. A Customer may subscribe to Residential Economy Service if the Customer’s use of the Service will be primarily for domestic purposes and the telephone number associated with the Service is not included in any form of advertising for any business purpose.

B. Business rates shall apply for any service that does not qualify for residential service rates as set forth in Section 4.1.A Customers to whom business rates apply are not eligible to take Residential Economy Service.

4.2 Description

Residential Economy Service is POLR Service offered to residential customers on a retail basis with the Economy Service Area as the Customer’s Basic Service Calling Area.

4.3 Regulations Concerning Residential Economy Service

A. Calls Outside the Economy Calling Area – Residential Economy Service customers may make local calls from their Home Exchange to the additional Exchanges included in Section 4.4.B at a per-minute rate. The per-minute rate for such calls is set forth in Section 8.2.B of this Tariff. Calls made from the Home Exchange to locations within the State of Maine, other than those listed in Section 4.4, are billed to the Customer at the applicable intrastate toll rates of the carrier used to provide the Customer’s intrastate toll service.

B. Municipal Calling Service – Customer shall receive toll free calling to any other customer of a Provider of Last Resort within the municipality in which the Customer resides so long as the Customer is utilizing an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer. In the event the Customer is charged by an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer for a call to a Provider of Last Resort customer within the municipality in which the Customer resides, the Company shall remove any charges associated with any such municipal calling from the Customer’s bill.

C. Changes in Calling Areas – The Customer’s initial selection of either the Economy Calling Area Service offering or the Premium Calling Area Service offering is without charge. Subsequent changes by the Customer are subject to the applicable Service Order Charge as identified in this Tariff. If only one Calling Area Service offering is available for an Exchange, the Customer will automatically be classified under the available service offering and no charge will apply.

D. Rates – The applicable for the Company’s Residential Economy Service are listed in Sections 8.2 of this Tariff

E. Lifeline – The Company complies with all provisions set forth in Part 54 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission and shall offer all applicable State and Federal discounts to customers who have been properly certified as qualifying for Lifeline service pursuant to Part 54 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission.

4.4 Calling Areas and List of Exchanges

A. List of Exchanges Where Flat-Rated Calling Applies:

Unlimited Flat-Rated Calling to the Following Exchanges:

AURORA (584): Aurora, ME; Beddington, ME; Otis, ME

BEDDINGTON (638): Beddington, ME and Aurora, ME

OTIS (537): Otis, ME and Aurora, ME

B. List of Exchanges Where Per-Minute Charges Apply:

Per-Minute Rated Calling to the Following Exchanges

AURORA (584):  Bangor, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME; Franklin, ME; Old Town, ME; Sullivan, ME

BEDDINGTON (638):  Otis, ME;  Columbia, ME; Franklin, ME; Machias, ME; Milbridge, ME

OTIS (537):  Bangor, ME; Beddington, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME

Residential Premium Service

5.1 Eligibility

A. A Customer may subscribe to Residential Premium Service if the Customer’s use of the Service will be primarily for domestic purposes and the telephone number associated with the Service is not included in any form of advertising for any business purpose.

B. Business rates shall apply for any service that does not qualify for residential service rates as set forth in Section 5.1.A Customers to whom business rates apply are not eligible to take Residential Premium Service.

5.2 Description

Residential Premium Service is POLR Service offered to residential customers on a retail basis with the Premium Service Area as the Customer’s Basic Service Calling Area.

5.3 Regulations Concerning Residential Premium Service

A. Calls Outside the Premium Calling Area – Residential Premium Service customers who make calls from their Home Exchange to locations within the State of Maine, other than those listed in Section 5.4 are billed to the Customer at the applicable intrastate toll rates of the carrier used to provide the Customer’s intrastate toll service.

B. Municipal Calling Service – Customer shall receive toll free calling to any other customer of a Provider of Last Resort within the municipality in which the Customer resides so long as the Customer is utilizing an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer. In the event the Customer is charged by an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer for a call to a Provider of Last Resort customer within the municipality in which the Customer resides, the Company shall remove any charges associated with any such municipal calling from the Customer’s bill.

C. Changes in Calling Areas – The Customer’s initial selection of either the Economy Calling Area Service offering or the Premium Calling Area Service offering is without charge. Subsequent changes by the Customer are subject to the applicable Service Order Charge as identified in this Tariff. If only one Calling Area Service offering is available for an Exchange, the Customer will automatically be classified under the available service offering and no charge will apply.

D. Rates – The applicable for the Company’s Residential Premium Service are listed in Sections 8.3 of this Tariff

E. Lifeline – The Company complies with all provisions set forth in Part 54 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission and shall offer all applicable State and Federal discounts to customers who have been properly certified as qualifying for Lifeline service pursuant to Part 54 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission.

5.4 Calling Areas and List of Exchanges

List of Exchanges Where Flat-Rated Calling Applies:
Unlimited Flat-Rated Calling to the Following Exchanges

AURORA (584):  Aurora, ME; Bangor, ME; Beddington, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME; Franklin, ME; Old Town, ME; Otis, ME; Sullivan, ME

BEDDINGTON (638):  Beddington, ME; Aurora, ME; Otis, ME; Columbia, ME; Franklin, ME; Machias, ME; Milbridge, ME

OTIS (537):  Otis, ME; Aurora, ME; Bangor, ME; Beddington, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME

Business Economy Service

6.1 Eligibility

A Customer must subscribe to Business Economy Service or Business Premium Service if the Customer’s use of the Service will be: 1) principally or substantially for business, professional or occupational purposes; or 2) associated with a telephone number that is included in any form of advertising for any business purpose.

6.2 Description

Business Economy Service is POLR Service offered to business customers on a retail basis with the Economy Service Area as the Customer’s Basic Service Calling Area.

6.3 Regulations Concerning Residential Economy Service

A. Calls Outside the Economy Calling Area – Business Economy Service customers may make local calls from their Home Exchange to the additional Exchanges included in Section 6.4.B at a per-minute rate. The per-minute rate for such calls is set forth in Section 8.2.B of this Tariff. Calls made from the Home Exchange to locations within the State of Maine, other than those listed in Section 6.4, are billed to the Customer at the applicable intrastate toll rates of the carrier used to provide the Customer’s intrastate toll service.

B. Municipal Calling Service – Customer shall receive toll free calling to any other customer of a Provider of Last Resort within the municipality in which the Customer resides so long as the Customer is utilizing an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer. In the event the Customer is charged by an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer for a call to a Provider of Last Resort customer within the municipality in which the Customer resides, the Company shall remove any charges associated with any such municipal calling from the Customer’s bill.

C. Changes in Calling Areas – The Customer’s initial selection of either the Economy Calling Area Service offering or the Premium Calling Area Service offering is without charge. Subsequent changes by the Customer are subject to the applicable Service Order Charge as identified in this Tariff. If only one Calling Area Service offering is available for an Exchange, the Customer will automatically be classified under the available service offering and no charge will apply.

D. Rates – The applicable for the Company’s Business Economy Service are listed in Sections 8.2 of this Tariff

6.4 Calling Areas and List of Exchanges

A. List of Exchanges Where Flat-Rated Calling Applies:

Unlimited Flat-Rated Calling to the Following Exchanges:

AURORA (584):  Aurora, ME; Beddington, ME; Otis, ME

BEDDINGTON (638):  Beddington, ME and Aurora, ME

OTIS (537):  Otis, ME and Aurora, ME

B. List of Exchanges Where Per-Minute Charges Apply:

Home Exchange Per-Minute Rated Calling to the Following Exchanges

Per-Minute Calling to the Following Exchanges:

AURORA (584):  Bangor, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME; Franklin, ME; Old Town, ME; Sullivan, ME

BEDDINGTON (638):  Otis, ME; Columbia, ME; Franklin, ME; Machias, ME; Milbridge, ME

OTIS (537):  Bangor, ME; Beddington, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME

Business Premium Service

7.1 Eligibility

A Customer must subscribe to Business Economy Service or Business Premium Service if the Customer’s use of the Service will be: 1) principally or substantially for business, professional or occupational purposes; or 2) associated with a telephone number that is included in any form of advertising for any business purpose.

7.2 Description

Business Premium Service is POLR Service offered to business customers on a retail basis with the Premium Service Area as the Customer’s Basic Service Calling Area.

7.3 Regulations Concerning Business Premium Service

A. Calls Outside the Premium Calling Area – Business Premium Service customers who make calls from their Home Exchange to locations within the State of Maine, other than those listed in Section 7.4 are billed to the Customer at the applicable intrastate toll rates of the carrier used to provide the Customer’s intrastate toll service.

B. Municipal Calling Service – Customer shall receive toll free calling to any other customer of a Provider of Last Resort within the municipality in which the Customer resides so long as the Customer is utilizing an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer. In the event the Customer is charged by an intrastate toll provider for whom the Company provides billing to the Customer for a call to a Provider of Last Resort customer within the municipality in which the Customer resides, the Company shall remove any charges associated with any such municipal calling from the Customer’s bill.

C. Changes in Calling Areas – The Customer’s initial selection of either the Economy Calling Area Service offering or the Premium Calling Area Service offering is without charge. Subsequent changes by the Customer are subject to the applicable Service Order Charge as identified in this Tariff. If only one Calling Area Service offering is available for an Exchange, the Customer will automatically be classified under the available service offering and no charge will apply.

D. Rates – The applicable for the Company’s Business Premium Service are listed in Sections 8.3 of this Tariff

7.4 Calling Areas and List of Exchanges

List of Exchanges Where Flat-Rated Calling Applies:

Unlimited Flat-Rated Calling to the Following Exchanges:

AURORA (584):  Aurora, ME; Bangor, ME; Beddington, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME; Franklin, ME; Old Town, ME; Otis, ME; Sullivan, ME

BEDDINGTON (638):  Beddington, ME; Aurora, ME; Otis, ME; Columbia, ME; Franklin, ME; Machias, ME; Milbridge, ME

OTIS (537):  Otis, ME; Aurora, ME; Bangor, ME; Beddington, ME; Eddington, ME; Ellsworth, ME

Schedule of Rates and Charges

8.1 Service Charges Residence Business

                                                                    Residence                 Business

A. Initial Connection Charge                   $15.00                         $15.00
B. Service Order Charge                               7.50                              7.50

8.2 Economy Service

                                                                    Residence                 Business
A. Monthly Flat-Rated Charge
Aurora                                                        $17.58                        $35.17
Beddington                                                  17.58                          35.17
Otis                                                                17.58                          35.17

B. Per-Minute Charge                                    0.05                           0.05

8.3 Premium Service

                                                                    Residence                 Business
Monthly Flat-Rated Charge
Aurora                                                         $19.08                      $38.28
Beddington                                                   19.08                        38.28
Otis                                                                 19.08                        38.28