65- 625 C.M.R. ch. 3, § 1

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 625-3-1 - DEFINITIONS

As used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

A.ALI Database. "ALI Database" means the set of Automatic Location Information records residing within a computer.

B.Automatic Location Identification (ALI). "Automatic Location Identification (ALI)" means the automatic display at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) of the caller's telephone number, the address/location of the telephone and supplementary emergency services information.

C.Automatic Number Identification (ANI): "Automatic Number Identification" means a system capability that enables the automatic display of the seven-digit number of the telephone access line used to place a 9-1-1 call.

D.Emergency Services Communication Bureau (Bureau). "Emergency Services Communications Bureau (Bureau)" is the bureau within the Public Utilities Commission authorized to develop, establish, and manage the statewide Enhanced 9-1-1 system in Maine, pursuant to 25 M.R.S.A. §2926.

E.Enhanced 9-1-1 Access-only. "Enhanced 9-1-1 Access-only" means the provision of E9-1-1 access to a residential telephone customer's premises when telephone service to the premises is otherwise suspended or disconnected.

F.Commission. "Commission" means the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

G.Intercept process. "Intercept process" means a process to stop a telephone call directed to a disconnected or suspended telephone number and redirect that call to a recorded announcement.

H.Involuntary Disconnection. "Involuntary Disconnection" means cessation of local exchange service that is not requested by the customer. It includes but is not limited to disconnection for non-payment. For the purposes of this Chapter, an involuntary disconnection begins when the customer no longer is provided access to the public switched network from the premise, i.e., after any period of involuntary suspension.

I.Involuntary Suspension. "Involuntary Suspension" means the temporary period immediately before a customer is involuntarily disconnected but during which the telephone continues to have access to the public switched network.

J.Lifeline-eligible Customer. "Lifeline-eligible Customer" means a customer qualifying for the Lifeline or Linkup services pursuant to Chapter 294 of the Commission's rules, whether or not the customer receives either of the services.

K.Local Exchange Carrier. "Local Exchange Carrier" means a telephone utility, as defined by 35-A M.R.S.A. §102(19), that provides local exchange service pursuant to authority granted by the Maine Legislature or the Public Utilities Commission.

L.Local Exchange Service. "Local Exchange Service" means telephone service within a local exchange area providing switched access to the public switched network that includes local calling pursuant to Chapter 240 of the Commission's rules.

M.Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). "Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)" means a facility equipped to receive ANI and ALI and assigned the responsibility of initially receiving 9-1-1 calls and, as appropriate, directly dispatching emergency response services or transferring the calls to other public or private safety agencies for dispatch.

N.Soft Dialtone. "Soft Dialtone" means access to some public switched network services after telephone service has been otherwise suspended or disconnected at a residential premise. For the purpose of this Chapter, Soft Dialtone provides, at a minimum, Enhanced 9-1-1 Access-only capability, but may provide additional telecommunication services.

O.Soft Dialtone Record. "Soft Dialtone Record" is the record residing on the ALI Database that corresponds to a location that receives soft dialtone.

P.Telephone Utility. "Telephone Utility" means a telephone utility, as defined by 35 M.R.S.A. §102(19).

Q.Voluntary Disconnection. "Voluntary Disconnection" means cessation of local exchange service made at the request of the customer.

R.Voluntary Suspension. "Voluntary Suspension" means a hiaitus of the provision of local exchange service, provided at the customer's request, when the carrier and the customer have an agreement under which the customer may pay a fee and the carrier resumes service after a period of time.

65- 625 C.M.R. ch. 3, § 1