OAR 860-021-0206: Payment Arrangements for Deposit and Installation Charges for Residential Telecommunications Utility Service

(1) Time payments for deposits and nonrecurring charges shall be limited to charges for residential service and intraLATA toll. When the large telecommunications utility requires deposits and/or nonrecurring charges to establish or reestablish service from an applicant, the applicant shall pay one-fourth of the deposit and/or nonrecurring charges immediately. The customer or applicant shall pay the remainder in three equal installments, which shall be due 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively, after the date the payment agreement is executed. Except for the last payment, installments shall be the greater of $20 or one-fourth of the total deposit. In communicating with an applicant to establish service or to require a deposit and/or nonrecurring charge, the large telecommunications utility shall inform the applicant of the availability of Link-Up America and Oregon Telephone Assistance Program benefits and inform the applicant that details are available from the Commission. (2) When a customer makes an installment payment or a deposit with a payment for telecommunications utility service, the large telecommunications utility shall first apply the amount paid toward the amount due for deposit and/or nonrecurring charges. (3) A customer who is required to pay an additional deposit shall pay one-fourth of the total deposit within five days to the large telecommunications utility. The remainder of the deposit is due under the terms of section (1) of this rule. If the customer has an existing deposit installment agreement, the remaining installment payments will be adjusted to include the additional deposit; however, two installment payments cannot be required within the same 30-day period. (4) When a customer enters into an installment agreement for payment of a deposit and/or nonrecurring charges under section (1) of this rule, the large telecommunications utility shall provide written notice explaining its deposit and nonrecurring charges requirements. The notice shall specify the date each installment payment shall be due and shall include a statement printed in bold-face type informing the customer that utility service will be disconnected if payment is not received when due. (5) If a customer fails to abide by the terms of an installment agreement, the large telecommunications utility may disconnect local exchange service after providing a written five-day notice. The notice shall contain the information set forth in OAR 860-021-0505(3)(a) through (e) and shall be served as required by in 860-021-0505(4) and (5). In lieu of permanent disconnection, the large telecommunications utility may curtail service pursuant to 860-021-0505(7). (6) When good cause exists, the large telecommunications utility may provide or the Commission may require, more liberal arrangements for payment of deposits and/or nonrecurring charges than those set forth in this rule. The large telecommunications utility shall keep a written record of the reasons for such action. (7) If disconnection for nonpayment of a deposit and/or nonrecurring charges occurs, the customer disconnected shall pay the full amount of the deposit, and/or nonrecurring charges, any applicable reconnection fee, late-payment fee, and past due tariff and price-listed amount before service is restored. A customer may continue with an existing medical certificate time-payment agreement by paying all past-due installments.