Long Distance Terms & Conditions

South Central Long-Distance Guidelines

Rates, rules, and regulations for furnishing long-distance Telecommunications Services in the State of Kentucky to all domestic and international locations

This Guidebook contains the descriptions and regulations applicable to the furnishing of services and facilities for long-distance telecommunication. Rates are found on the Company website at https://www.scrtc.com/.

Effective: January 1, 2024

1. General

1.1 Application of Guidebook

1. This guidebook contains the regulations and rates applicable to the provision of Message Telecommunications Service, hereinafter referred to as “Service”, by South Central Long Distance, hereafter referred to as the “Company”, within the State of Kentucky.  Service is furnished subject to the availability of facilities and subject to transmission, atmospheric, and like conditions.
2. The provision of such Service by the Company as set forth in this Guidebook does not constitute a joint undertaking with the Customer for the furnishing of any Service.

1.2 Definitions

Certain terms used throughout this Guidebook are defined as follows:

1. Access Code: A sequence of numbers that, when dialed, connects the caller to the Provider or Operator Services associated with that sequence.
2. Access Line: An arrangement that connects the customer’s telephone with a Company-designated switching center or point of presence.
3. Aggregator: Any person that, in the ordinary course of its operations, makes telephones available to the public or to transient users of its premises, for Intrastate telephone calls using a Provider of Operator Services.
4. Application for Service: A standard order form which includes all pertinent billing, technical, and other descriptive information which will enable the Company to provide the Service as required.
5. Authorization Code: A numerical code, 1 or more of which may be assigned to a Customer to enable the Company to identify the origin of the user or individual users or groups of users on 1 account so that the Company may rate and bill the call.
6. Authorized User: A person, firm, corporation, or any other entity authorized by the Customer to utilize the Company’s service.

1.2 Definitions (Cont’d)

7. Billed Party: The person or entity responsible for payment of the Company’s service for an Operator Assisted Call, as follows:
   • In the case of a Room Charge call, the Subscriber;
   • In the case of a Travel Card or Credit Card call, the holder of the Travel Card or credit card used by the consumer; and
   • In the case of a Collect or Third Party call, the person responsible for the local telephone service at the telephone number that agrees to accept charges for the call.
8. Business Customer: An end user customer of the Company is classified as a business customer if the customer’s local access line is purchased as a business service from the customer’s local exchange carrier.
9. Calling / Travel Card: A billing service whereby the customer may access Company services and charge the cost of those services via a Company-issued calling or travel card.
10. Call Splashing: The transfer of a telephone call from 1 provider of operator services to another such provider in such a manner that the subsequent provider is unable or unwilling to determine the location of the origination of the call and, because of such inability or unwillingness, is prevented from billing the call on the basis of such location.
11. Commission: The Public Service Commission of Kentucky.
12. Common Carrier: A company or entity providing telecommunications services to the public.
13. Company: South Central Long Distance, unless the context indicates otherwise.
14. Consumer: A person initiating any intrastate telephone call using Operator Services.
15. Customer: Any individual, partnership, association, trust, corporation, cooperative, or governmental agency or other entity which utilizes the Services provided by the Company on a subscription basis. A Cus­tomer, as set forth herein, is responsible for the payment of charges and for compliance with all applicable terms of the Company’s Guidebook.
16. Customer Dialed Travel or Calling Card Call: A Travel or Calling Card Call, which is dialed by the Customer and may or may not require intervention by an attended operator position to complete.
17. Customer Provided Equipment: Terminal Equipment or facilities provided by per­sons other than the Company and connected to the Company’s Services and/or facilities.
18. Dialed Access: An arrangement whereby a Customer uses the public switched network facilities of a local exchange telephone company to access the terminal of the Company.
19. Domestic Message Telecommunications Service (MTS): The term “Domestic Message Telecommunications Service” denotes the furnishing of station-to-station direct dial intrastate switched network services to the Customer for the completion of long-distance voice and dial-up low-speed data transmissions over voice-grade channel from the Company’s Points of Presence to points within the State of Kentucky as specified herein.
20. Reserved
21. Local Exchange Carrier (LEC): A telephone company that furnishes local exchange services.
22. Measured Usage Charge or Measured Charge: A charge assessed on a per‑minute basis in calculating all or a portion of the charges due for a completed call over the Company’s facilities.  When used in reference to Operator Services, the term refers to a charge assessed for a completed Operator Assisted Call.
23. Other Common Carrier: The term “Other Common Carrier” denotes a common carrier, other than the Company, providing domestic or international communications service to the public.
24. Premises: The space designated by a Customer as its place or places of business for provision of Service or for its own communications needs.
25. Presubscribed Provider of Operator Services: The Provider of Operator Services to which the Consumer is connected when the Consumer places a call using a Provider of Operator Services without dialing an access code.
26. Provider of Operator Services: Any common carrier that provides operator Services or any other person determined by the Public Service Commission of Kentucky to be providing Operator Services.
27. Residential Customer: An end-user customer of the Company is classified as a residential customer if the customer’s local access line is purchased as a residential service from the customer’s local exchange carrier.
28. Service: The offerings by the Company to the Customer under this Guidebook.
29. Subscriber: Service customer.
30. Subscriber Surcharge: A surcharge imposed by the Subscriber, to be paid by the consumer, for the use of Subscriber’s telephone instruments and other facilities in obtaining access to the Company’s services.
31. Telecommunications: The transmission of voice communications or, subject to the transmission capabilities of the service, the transmission of data, facsimile, signaling, metering, or any other form of intelligence.
32. Toll Free: Access to telephone numbers dialed on a 7, 10, or 1+ basis in which the calling party receives no Company-assessed toll or usage charges for the set-up and completion of the call to the called number on a “toll-free” basis.
33. Universal Service Fund (“USF”): A federally mandated fund intended to provide financial support to schools and libraries, rural health care, high-cost service areas, and low-income customers.  All providers of telecommunications services contribute to the fund based on a percentage of end-user revenues billed.

2. Rules & Regulations – Message Telecommunications Services

2.1 Undertaking of the Company

2.1.A. Scope

The Company is a carrier providing intrastate communications originating at specific points within the state of Kentucky under terms of this guidebook.  Intrastate service is offered in conjunction with interstate services.

2.1.B. Limitations

1. The services provided pursuant to this guidebook are offered subject to the availability of facilities and the other provisions of this Guidebook.
2. The Company does not undertake to trans­mit communications or messages, but rather furnishes facilities, Service, and equipment for such transmissions by the Customer.
3. The Company retains the right to deny Service to any Customer that fails to comply with the rules and regulations of this Guidebook, or other ap­plicable rules, regulations or laws.

2.2 Obligations of the Customer

2.2.A. All Customers assume general responsibilities in connection with the provision and use of the Company’s Service.  General responsibilities are described in this section.  When facilities, equipment, and/or communication systems provided by others are connected to the Company’s facilities, the Customer assumes the additional responsibilities as set forth in Section 2.2, herein.

2.2.B. The Customer is responsible for the payment of all charges for any and all Services or facilities provided by the Company to the Customer.

2.2.C. Subject to availability, the Cus­tomer may use specific codes to identify the user’s groups on its account and to allocate the cost of its service accordingly.  The numerical composition of such codes shall be set forth by the Company to assure compatibility with the Company’s accounting and automation systems and to avoid duplication of such specific codes.

2.2.D. The Company reserves the right to discontinue the use of any code provided to the Customer and to substitute another code for such Customer’s use.

2.2.E. The Customer shall indemnify and save harmless the Company from and against all loss, liability, damage and expense, including reasonable counsel fees, due to claims for libel, slander, or infringement of copyright or trademark in connection with any material transmitted by the Customer using the Company’s Services; and any other claim resulting from any act or omission of the Customer to the use of the Company’s facilities.

2.2.F. Nothing contained herein, or in any other provision of this Guidebook, or in any marketing materials issued by the Company shall give any Customer or person any ownership interest or proprietary right in any particular code issued by Company; provided, however, that a Customer that con­tinues to subscribe to Company’s Services will be provided a replacement code in the event such Customer’s initial code is canceled.

2.2.G. The Customer shall reimburse the Company for damages to the Company’s facilities caused by any negligence or willful act or acts on the part of the Customer.

2.2.H. The Customer shall pay and hold the Company harmless from the payment of all charges for service ordered by the Customer from the Local Exchange Carriers or other entities for telecommunications services and/or facilities connecting the Customer and the Company.

2.2.I In the event a suit is brought by the Company, or an attorney is retained by the Company to collect any bill or enforce the terms of this Guidebook against a Customer, that Customer shall be responsible for payment of all reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, costs of investigation and any and all other related costs and expenses in­curred by the Company in connection pursuant to state, federal or judicial order.

2.2.J. The Customer understands that the Services are furnished subject to the condition that there will be no abuse, fraudulent,and/or illegal use thereof.  Such activity includes, but is not limited to:

1. Using the Service for any purpose that is in violation of any law.
2. Obtaining or attempting to obtain Services through any scheme, false representation, and/or use of any fraudulent means or devices whatsoever with the intent to avoid payment, in whole or in part, of charges for Services, or assisting any other person or firm in such regard.
3. Attempting to, or actually obtaining, accessing, altering, or interfering with the communications and/or information by rearranging, tampering with, or making any connection with any facilities of the Company or assisting any other person or firm in such regard.
4. Using the Services in a manner that interferes unreasonably with the use of Services by 1 or more other Customers.
5. Using the Service to convey information deemed to be obscene, salacious, or prurient, to impersonate another person with fraudulent or malicious intent, to call another person or persons so frequently, at such times, or in such a manner as to annoy, abuse, or harass, or to convey information of a nature or in a manner that renders such conveyance unlawful.

2.2.K. The Customer, not the Company, shall be responsible for compliance with FCC Rules, 47 C.F.R. Part 68, and for all main­tenance of such equipment and/or facilities.

2.3 Liabilities of the Company

2.3.A. Except as stated in this Section 2.3, the Company shall have no liability for damages of any kind arising out of or related to events, acts, rights, or privileges contemplated in this Guidebook.

2.3.B. The liability of the Company for damages resulting in whole or in part from or arising in connection with the furnishing of Service under this Guidebook, including, but not limited to, mistakes, omissions, interruptions, delays, errors or other defects or misrepresentations shall not exceed an amount equal to the charges under this Guidebook applicable to the specific call (or portion thereof) that was affected.  No other liability shall attach to the Company.

2.3.C. The Company shall not be liable for any failure of performance hereunder due to causes beyond its control, including, but not limited to: (1) acts of God, fires, flood or other catastrophes; (2) any law, order, regulation, directive, action or request of the United States Government, or any other government, including state and local governments having jurisdiction over the Company, or of any department, agency, commission, bureau, corporation or other instrumentality of any 1 or more of said governments, or of any civil or military authority; or (3) national emergencies, insurrections, riots, wars or other labor difficulties.

2.3.D. The Company shall not be liable for any act or omission of any other entity furnishing facilities, equipment, or services used by a Customer, with the Company’s Services.  In addition, the Company shall not be liable for any damages or losses due to the failure or negligence of any Customer or due to the failure of Customer Provided Equipment, facilities, or services.

2.4 Service Orders

The Customer must place an Application for Service with the Company to initiate, cancel, or change the Services provided pursuant to this Guidebook.  All Applications for Services must provide, at a minimum, the following information:

2.4.A. Customer’s name(s), telephone number(s), and address(es).  In the case of a corporation or partnership, a designated officer or agent shall be named as the contact person for such corporation or partnership.

2.4. B. Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of person(s) to whom notices from the Company to the Customer shall be addressed, if different from (A) above.

2.4.C. The amount of toll service usage the Customer was billed for the 3 months immediately preceding the request for Service, if such information is applicable and available.

2.5 Charges & Payments for Service or Facilities

2.5.A. Deposits

At this time, the Company does not require deposits.  Should the Company require deposits in the future, the following terms would apply:

1. The Company may, in order to safeguard its interests, require a Customer to make a suitable deposit or provide a surety bond or letter of credit in the amount of the required deposit as a guarantee of the payment of charges. The Company shall have the right to require the Customer to make a deposit prior to or at any time after provision of any Service, not to exceed 3 months’ estimated charges. The Company may increase the amount of the deposit to reflect in­creases to the Customer’s annual bill.  The Customer will receive a receipt for the deposit.
2. Any deposit as referred to in this Section shall be held by the Company to secure the payment of the Customer’s bill. At the Company’s option, the deposit may be refunded or credited to the Customer at any time prior to the termination of Service.
3. Interest will be paid by the Company on all sums held on deposit at the rate established annually by the Kentucky Public Service Commission for customer deposits. The interest will be accrued for the period during which the deposit is held by the Company.
4. The fact that a deposit is made does not relieve the Customer from making advance payments or from complying with the Company’s regulations for the payment of bills in accordance with the terms herein and does not constitute a waiver or modification of the regulations of the Company providing for the discontinuance of Service for nonpayment of any sums due the Company for Service rendered.
5. Upon termination of Service, and assuming deposits of the Customer are not applied as indicated in Section 2.5.A.2, the deposit will be credited to the Customer’s account and any credit balance will be refunded after all amounts due the Company have been paid.

2.5.B. Description of Payment and Billing Periods

1. Service is provided and billed on a monthly basis. Service continues to be provided and billed on a monthly basis until canceled by the Customer through notice given to the Company.
2. When billing functions are performed by a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), commercial credit card company, or others, the payment conditions and requirements of such LECs apply, including any applicable interest.
3. In the event a Local Exchange Carrier, commercial credit card company or others ceases efforts to collect any amounts associated with the Company’s charges, the Company may bill the Customer or the called party directly, and may utilize its own billing and collection procedures which shall be consistent with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations.

2.5.C. Taxes

1. Sales tax is covered by state statute and other applicable taxes may be covered by state or federal statutes. Such taxes may be included on Customer bills in accordance with any applicable rules of the state or federal regulatory authority.
2. In addition to all recurring, non‑recurring, minimum, usage, surcharges, or special charges, the Customer identified in this Guidebook shall also be responsible for and shall pay all ap­plicable federal, state, and local taxes or surcharges, including sales, use, excise, gross earnings, and gross income taxes. All such taxes shall be separately shown and charged on bills rendered by Company or its billing agent. Sales and use taxes shall be applied to all charges and shall also be applied to all applicable gross earnings, gross revenue, and gross income taxes.

2.5.D. Payment and Late Payment Charge

1. Payment will be due as specified on the Customer bill. Commencing after that due date, a late charge of up to the highest interest rate allowable by law will be applied to all amounts past due.
2. Collection procedures and the require­ment for a deposit are unaffected by the application of a late payment charge. The late payment charge does not apply to unpaid balances associated with dis­puted amounts.  Undisputed amounts on the same bill are subject to the late payment charge if unpaid and carried forward to the next bill.
3. Service may be denied or discontinued at the Company’s discretion for nonpayment of amounts due the Company past the due date as specified in 2.5. D. 1. Restoration of Service will be subject to all applicable installation charges.
4. Any objections to billed charges must be reported to the Company or its billing agent within 60 days after receipt of the bill. Contested charges will be handled in accordance with 807 KAR 5:006, Section 9.  Adjustments to Customer’s bills shall be made to the extent that circumstances exist which reasonably indicate that such changes are appropriate. All invoices are due and payable within 30 days from the date of invoice. All amounts owed after the due date are subject to late payment penalty charges of 1.5% per month. The penalty may be assessed only once on any bill for rendered service.

2.5.E. Returned Check Charge

In Administrative Cases where the Company issues direct bills to Customers, and payment by check is re­turned for insufficient funds, or is otherwise not processed for payment, there will be a charge as set forth herein.  Such a charge will be applicable on each occasion when a check is returned or not processed.

2.5.F. Suspension or Termination for Nonpayment

In the event of nonpayment of any bill rendered or any required deposit, the Company may, after written notice, suspend Service to the Customer.

2.5.G. Credit Allowances/Service Interruptions

1. Credit for failure of Service will be allowed only when failure is caused by or occurs in the Company’s facilities or equipment owned, provided, and billed for by the Company. A credit allowance is not applicable for any period during which Customer cannot utilize the Service, except for such period where the Service is interrupted by the Company for access to its facilities for the purposes of inves­tigating and clearing troubles and/or maintenance.
2. Credit allowances for failure of Serv­ice or equipment start when the Cus­tomer notifies the Company of the failure and cease when the operation has been restored and an attempt has been made to notify the Customer by the Company.
3. The Customer shall notify the Company of failures of Service or equipment and make reasonable attempts to ascertain that the failure is not caused by Cus­tomer Customer-provided equipment or Customer-provided facilities, any act, or omission of the Customer, or in wiring or equipment connected to the Customer’s terminal.
4. Only those portions of the Service or equipment operation disabled will be credited.
5. Any credit provided to the Customer under this Guidebook shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5.H.

2.5.H. Service Interruption Measurement 

1. In the event of an interruption of Service that exceeds the minimum requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Company shall make a credit allowance at the Customer’s request for a pro rata adjustment of all Service charges billed by the Company for Services rendered inoperative by the interruption. The credit allowance will be computed by dividing the duration of the service interruption measured in 24-hour days, from the time the interruption is reported to the Company, by a standard 30 day month, and then multiplying the result by the Company’s fixed monthly charges for each interrupted Service.

A period of time less than 24 hours shall not be credited, but an additional period of 12 hours or more shall be considered an additional day.  In no case shall the credit exceed the total monthly charges. No adjustments will be made for periods of non-continuous interruptions, and no other liability shall attach to the Company in consideration of such interruption to Service.

2. A credit allowance will not be given for interruptions caused by the negligence or willful act of the Customer, or interruptions caused by failure of equipment or service not provided by the Company.

2.6 Termination or Denial of Service by Company

The Company may refuse or discontinue service under the following conditions. Unless otherwise stated, the Customer will be given 10 days’ written notice and allowed a reasonable time to comply with any rule or remedy any deficiency.

• For non-compliance with and/or violation of any State of municipal law, ordinance or regulation pertaining to telephone service.
• For the use of telephone service for any other property or purpose other than that described in the application.
• For failure to meet the Company’s credit requirements.
• For neglect or refusal to provide reasonable access to the Company for the purpose of inspection and maintenance of equipment owned by the Company.
• For non-compliance with and/or violation of the Commission’s regulations or the Company’s rules and regulations on file with the Commission, provided 10 working days written notice is given before termination.
• For non-payment of bills for telephone service. Suspension or termination of service shall not be made without 10 working days written notice to the Customer. Under no circumstances shall service be terminated before 20 days after the mailing date of the original unpaid bill.
• Without notice, in the event of Customer use of equipment in such a manner as to adversely affect the Company’s equipment or the Company’s service to others. The Company shall notify the Customer immediately in writing and, if possible, orally of the reasons for the termination of refusal. Such notice shall be recorded by the Company and shall include the corrective action to be taken by the Customer or utility before service can be restored or provided.
• Without notice in the event of tampering with the equipment furnished and owned by the Company. The Company shall notify the Customer immediately in writing and, if possible, orally of the reasons for the termination of refusal. Such notice shall be recorded by the Company and shall include the corrective action to be taken by the Customer or utility before service can be restored or provided.
• When necessary for the Company to comply with any order or request of any governmental authority having jurisdiction.
• Without notice, in the event of unauthorized or fraudulent use of service. Within 24 hours after such termination, the Company shall send written notification to the Customer of the reasons for termination and inform the Customer of his/her right to challenge the termination by filing a formal complaint with the Commission. Whenever service is discontinued for fraudulent use of service, the Company may, before restoring service, require the Customer to make, at his own expense, all changes in facilities or equipment necessary to eliminate illegal use and to pay an amount reasonably estimated as the loss in revenues resulting from such fraudulent use.
• For failure of the Customer to make a proper application for service.
• For Customer’s breach of the contract for service between the Company and the Customer. The Company shall notify the Customer immediately in writing and, if possible, orally of the reasons for the termination of refusal. Such notice shall be recorded by the utility and shall include the corrective action to be taken by the Customer or utility before service can be restored or provided.

2.7 Special Services

2.7.A. General

For the purpose of this Guidebook, Special Services are deemed to be any Service requested by the Customer and provided by the Company for which there is no prescribed rate in this Guidebook.  Special Services charges will be developed on an in­dividual case basis (ICB) and may be established by contract between the Company and the Customer.  Such contract or ICB rates will be filed with the Commission for its approval if required by applicable rules and regulations.

2.7.B.  When Applicable

Special Services rates apply in the following circumstances:

1. If at the request of the Customer, the Company obtains facilities not normally used by the Company to provide Service to its Cus­tomer;
2. If at the request of the Customer, the Company provides technical assistance not normally required to provide Service;
3. Where special signaling, conditioning, equipment, or other features are required to make Customer Provided Equipment compatible with the Company’s Service.
4. When, at the specific request of the Customer, installation by the Company or its agent and/or routine maintenance is performed outside of the regular business hours.
5. If installation and/or routine main­tenance is extended beyond normal busi­ness hours at the request of the Cus­tomer and these circumstances are not the fault of the Company, Special Service charges may apply. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, stand-by in excess of 1 hour, weekend, holiday, or nighttime cut-over, and ad­ditional installation testing in excess of the normal testing required to provide Service.

2.7.C. Cancellation

If a Customer orders Service requiring special facilities dedicated to the Customer’s use and then cancels its order before the Service begins, before completion of any minimum Service periods associated with such special facilities ordered by the Company or before completion of some other period mutually agreed upon by the Customer and the Company, a charge will be made to the Customer for the non-recoverable por­tions of expenditures or liabilities incurred expressly on behalf of the Customer by the Company and not fully reimbursed by installation and monthly charges. If, based on such an order, any construction has either begun or been completed, but no such Service provided, the non-recoverable cost of such construction shall be borne by the Customer.

2.8 Special Pricing Arrangements

Customized Service packages and competitive pricing arrangements at negotiated rates may be furnished on a case-by-case basis in response to requests by Customers for proposals or for competitive bids. Special Pricing Arrangements offered under this Guidebook will be provided to the Customer pursuant to contract.  Unless otherwise specified, the regulations for such arrangements are in addition to the applicable regulations and prices in other sections of the Guidebook. Specialized rates or charges will be made available to similarly situated Customers on a non-discriminatory basis. Such contracts will be filed with the Commission for approval if required by applicable rule or regulation.

2.9 Special Construction

All rates and charges quoted in this Guidebook provide for the furnishing of a Service when suitable facilities are available or where the construction of the necessary facilities does not involve unusual costs. When the revenue to be derived from the Service does not warrant the Company assuming the unusual costs of providing the necessary construction, the Customer may be required to pay all or a portion of such costs and to contract for the service for a sufficient period to warrant the construction, depending upon the circumstances in each case. The Company’s charges for such special construction shall follow the same guidelines for establishing charges for Special Services as described in Section 2.8 of this Guidebook.

2.10 Inspection, Testing & Adjustment

2.10.A. The Company may, upon reasonable notice, make such tests and inspections as may be neces­sary to investigate the installation, opera­tion or maintenance of the Customer’s or the Company’s equipment or connecting facilities.  The Company may interrupt Service at any time, without penalty or liability to itself, where necessary to prevent improper use of Service, equipment, facilities, or connec­tions.

2.10.B. Upon reasonable notice, the facilities and equipment provided by the Company shall be made available to the Company for such tests and adjustments as may be necessary for its maintenance in a condition satisfactory to the Company.  No interruption allowance will be granted for the time during which such tests and adjustments are made, unless such interruption exceeds 24 hours in length.

3. General Classification & Description of the Company’s Service – Message Telecommunications Services

3.1 Service Points

3.1.A.  The Company provides originating Serv­ice from domestic points in the United States to domestic points identified in this Guidebook.

3.1.B.  The Company provides terminating Service from domestic points identified in this Guidebook to domestic points in the United States.

3.2 Measurements

3.2.A. Time-of-Day Rate Period

Unless otherwise specified, the following rating periods apply:

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday through Friday, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Nights/ All
Weekend

Time-of-Day Rate Periods are reflected in the rates

3. General Classification and Description of the Company’s Service – Message Telecommunications Services (Cont’d)

3.2. Measurements (Cont’d)

3.2.B. Availability of Service

The Service is available only in areas in which the Company provides service at the rates listed in Section 4, through subscription to any of the domestic message telecommunication service offerings available from the Company.  Services may have varying rate levels and billing increments as noted in each service rate description.  Each of these offerings is subject to restrictions indicated.

3.2.C. Holiday Rates

During the following officially recognized holidays, Evening Rates will be applicable during all hours, except for hours when a lower rate (i.e., Night/Weekend) is ap­plicable.

• New Year’s Day
• Labor Day
• Memorial Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Columbus Day
• Independence Day
• Christmas Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Veteran’s Day

*When this holiday falls on a Sunday, the Holiday calling rate applies to calls placed on the following Monday.  When this holiday falls on a Saturday, the Holiday calling rate applies to calls placed on the preceding Friday.

**Applies to Federally observed days only.

3.3 Timing of Calls

3.3.A. Unless otherwise indicated in this Guidebook, calls are timed by the Company in 6-second increments unless otherwise stipulated by the Company in this Guidebook. “Ring-busy” and “ring-no-answer” calls will not knowingly be charged to the Customer, and if charged in error, will be credited by the Company to the Customer. Timing begins at the “starting event” and ends at the “terminating event,” unless otherwise specified. Time between the starting event and the terminating event is the call duration. The minimum call duration for a completed call is 6 seconds, unless otherwise specified.

3.3.B. The starting event occurs when the Company’s terminal experiences an “Incoming Signaling Protocol Successful,” i.e., upon the seizure of an inbound trunk.

3.3.C. The terminating event occurs when the Company’s terminal receives a signal from the Local Exchange Carrier that either the calling party or the called party has hung up.

3.3.D. There shall be no charge for unanswered calls. Upon receiving reasonable and adequate notice of billing from a Customer for any such call, the Company may issue a credit in an amount equal to the charge for the call. Calls that are in progress longer than 1 minute will be presumed to have been answered.

3.3.E. Domestic Message Telecommunications Service rates are quoted in terms of initial and additional periods. The initial period is the first stated timed increment or any fraction thereof after connection is made. The additional period is each stated timed increment or any fraction thereof after the initial period. Timing increments for billing are shown in rate schedules in Section 4 of this guidebook.

3.3.F. The time of day at the calling party rate center determines what Time-of-Day rate period applies.

3.4 Computation of Distance

3.4.A. All calls are rated on the basis of airline mileage locations of the caller and the called party, regardless of the call’s routing.

3.4.B.  Airline mileage is obtained by using the “V” and “H” coordinates assigned to each point. To determine the airlines distance between any 2 cities, the airline mileage is determined as follows:

1. Obtain the “V” and “H” coordinates for each city.
2. Obtain the difference between the “V” coordi­nates of each of the cities. Obtain the difference between the “H” coordinates.
3. Square each difference obtained in step 2, above.
4. Add the square of the “V” difference and the “H” difference obtained in step 3, above.
5. Divide the number obtained in step 4 by 10. Round to the next higher whole number if any fraction is obtained.
6. Obtain the square root of the whole number obtained in step 5 above. Round to the next higher whole number if any fraction is ob­tained. This is the airline mileage.

3.5 Method of Applying Rates

3.5.A. Calls that begin in 1 rate period and terminate in another will be billed for the entire call duration at the rate applicable at the commence­ment of the call.

3.5.B. Unless specified otherwise in this Guidebook, the duration of each call for billing purposes will be rounded off to the nearest higher billing increment.

3.6 Promotional Discounts

The Company may from time to time offer promotional discounts. Such discounts will be for a specified period of time, will not exceed published rates, and will be offered to all qualifying Customers on a non-discriminatory basis, under any rules prescribed by the Commission.

3.7 Dialed Domestic Message Telecommunications Services

3.7.A. Dialed Domestic Message Telecommunications Services are measured by use, full-time services, and are offered on a monthly basis, utilizing international communications facilities.  When appropriate access arrangements ex­ist, these switched services are available on a pre-subscription (equal access) basis.  Otherwise, the Services require that a Customer access the Company’s net­work via an alternative access code arrangement such as “950-XXXX” plus the Customer’s security code, a toll-free telephone number with the Customer’s security code, or via “1-0-1XXXX” code with Customer security code.

3.7.B. Depending upon the service option chosen by the Customer, the charges for the use of such domestic interstate communications facilities may be based upon the time of day, the total minutes of use, and/or the distance of each call.

3.8 Calling Card Service

Calling Card Service permits Customers who have arranged for a Company-issued Calling Card to make Calling Card calls throughout the domestic United States through the use of a specific toll-free telephone number provided by the Company.

3.9 800 Service

800 Service is a one-way inbound service originating on feature group facilities provided by the Company and terminating on a regular telephone line. The Customer is responsible for payment of all charges associated with such terminating calls terminated rather than the calling party. References to “800” or “1-800” shall include any future toll-free designation provided for such services by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator.

3.10 Directory Assistance Service

The Company will provide its customers with directory assistance for obtaining listed telephone numbers.  Access to Company directory information services will be provided by dialing an NPA plus 555-1212. No additional measured service charges apply.