North Dakota
Association of Telephone Cooperatives

3201 Nygren Drive NW, P.O. Box 1144, Mandan, ND 58554

Telephone: 701-663-1099  *    Fax:  701-663-0707

NDATC POSITION PAPER

BILL: HB 1214

SUBJECT: Requires Long Distance Companies to Define "Unusually High Usage" and Notify Customer When Level is Reached

DESCRIPTION: Requires long distance companies to develop a policy that defines "unusually high usage" for each customer and to notify that consumer within 24 hours of the level being met. In addition, HB 1214 would make the long distance company liable for all of the customer’s charges if the company did not provide notification that the "cap" had been exceeded.

IMPACT OF INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANIES: In addition to providing a host of other services, virtually every member, either through N.D. Long Distance or in their own name, provide long distance services. The Association believes the requirements of HB 1214 would be difficult to administer, would raise telecommunications costs for all of our long distance customers and, in many instances, would be impossible to comply with.

ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDATION: Oppose HB 1214.