OAR 860-034-0276: Time Payment Agreements for Small Telecommunications Utilities

(1) A time payment agreement must contain, at a minimum, the following terms: (a) An initial customer down payment of $10 or 25 percent of the balance owing for tariffed or price-listed small telecommunications utility services on file with the Commission, whichever is greater; (b) Full payment of the overdue balance within 90 days of the date of the agreement; and (c) Customer agreement to keep subsequent bills current. (2) The small telecommunications utility must send a letter to the customer confirming the terms of the time payment agreement. (3) Payments must be made on a monthly basis. The small telecommunications utility cannot require more frequent payments unless agreed to by the customer. The customer cannot extend the time payment agreement beyond 90 days without the consent of the small telecommunications utility. (4) The small telecommunications utility may not accelerate payments under a time payment agreement when the customer changes residences. The customer must pay tariff charges associated with the change in residence. (5) The small telecommunications utility may terminate the customer’s local exchange residential service pursuant to OAR 860-034-0260 if the customer refuses to enter into or fails to abide by the terms of the time payment agreement. The small telecommunications utility must provide five days’ notice to the Commission’s Consumer Services Section. (6) Nothing in this rule prevents a small telecommunications utility and a customer from entering into a time payment agreement for other charges.