1.
What are all these charges on my bill?
FCC Mandated Access Charge: Also known as a Subscriber Line Charge,
this is a federally mandated fee that all telephone users pay. This
creates a national pool of money that is used to subsidize areas
of the country where it costs more to provide phone service (like
the areas we live). If Americans did not have this fee on their
phone bill, your cost to receive local phone service would more
than triple. Park Region customers actually benefit from this national
program.
· Federal Universal Service Charge: Universal Service Fund
(USF) (Also called the Universal Connectivity Fee) - Because telephones
provide a vital link to emergency services, to government services
and to surrounding communities, it has been our nation's policy
to promote telephone service to all households since this service
began in the 1930s. The USF helps to make phone service affordable
and available to all Americans, including consumers with low incomes,
those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service
is high, schools and libraries and rural health care providers.
Congress has mandated that all telephone companies providing interstate
service must contribute to the USF. Although not required to do
so by the government, many carriers choose to pass their contribution
costs on to their customers in the form of a line item, often called
the "Federal Universal Service Fee" or "Universal
Connectivity Fee."
TeleRelay, 911 and TAP Fees: All are considered "fees",
not "taxes" and are required by Minnesota State Statute.
Tele-Relay is a state program that distributes specialized equipment
to eligible persons with communication impairments and operates
a state-wide message relay service linking telephone customers
who use specialized equipment with those who do not. It is administered
by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and is funded by this
monthly charge on all telephone lines. 911 fees are monthly assessments
to cover the cost of Minnesota's 911 program management, call
delivery, features and other expenses. TAP is Minnesota's Telephone
Assistance Program. The funds are used to provide eligible persons
(those 65 or older who meet household income and/or disabled persons)
with credit of up to $7 per month on their phone bill.
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2. How can I remove
my name from telemarketing call lists?
The FCC requires a person or entity placing live telephone solicitations
to your home to maintain a record of your request not to receive
future telephone solicitations from that person or entity. A record
of your do-not-call request must be maintained for ten years.
This request should also stop calls from affiliated entities if
you would reasonably expect them to be included, given the identification
of the caller and the product being advertised. Each time you
receive a call from a different person or entity, though, you
must request that that person or entity not call you again. Tax-exempt
non-profit organizations are not required to keep do-not-call
lists.
When you receive telephone solicitation calls, clearly state that
you want to be added to the caller's do-not-call list. You may
want to keep a list of those places that you have asked not to
call you.
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) sponsors the Telephone
Preference Service (TPS) which maintains a do-no-call list. DMA
members are required to use this list. Once you register, your
name stays on file for 5 years. You may register (for free) by
mailing your name, phone number and signature in a letter to:
Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-914
You can also register online (cost $5.00) at www.the-dma.org/cgi/offtelephonedave.
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3. What is DSL service?
It is high-speed internet access over your existing phone line.
DSL converts your existing analog phone line into a high-speed
digital phone line. Using ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber
line) technology, it delivers up to 1.5 megabits per second -
that's at least 25 times faster than a standard 28.8Kbps dial-up
modem!
How does DSL service work?
DSL technology takes advantage of your existing phone line. While
regular phone calls are transferred at relatively low frequencies,
DSL data is transmitted at much higher frequencies. Both types
of transmission can occur simultaneously without interference.
Voice transmissions and fax machines will operate as usual.
Can I get DSL service?
We are installing the equipment necessary to provide DSL service
in many of our serving areas. However, DSL service is also contingent
on the distance from your home to the DSL access equipment we
have installed in our central office in your exchange. Each type
of equipment and technology has a varying maximum reach, but the
average maximum distance at which high-speed DSL data can be delivered
is about 18,000 cable feet. To find out if DSL is available to
you or other alternatives available, call our Customer Service
Department at 218-998-2000 or 218-826-6161.
What does an "always on" connection mean?
DSL gives you a dedicated connection between your computer and
your phone network so your computer is always connected to the
Internet. There's no more dialing in, no more waiting to get online,
no more busy signals. "Always on" means the Internet
is always a click away.
What is the charge for DSL?
Click here for pricing information.
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4. Why should I use
Park Region's internet service and not the free CD's I get in
the mail?
Park Region's Internet service is a local telephone call for customers
in these towns:
Battle Lake, Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Underwood, Dalton,
Maine, Vining, Erhard, Henning, Ashby, Cormorant, and Browns Valley.
The CD's that are sent in the mail or given as free promotional
offers are from large Internet Service Providers who do not provide
local telephone dial-up numbers for towns outside of major metropolitan
areas. This means you'll incur long distance charges for the time
you are on-line with these companies. The long-distance charges
are over and above any plan charges they may require.
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5. How do I contact
the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications
Commission?
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place E. Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101-2147
• Consumer Assistance/Information: (651) 296-0406 consumer.puc@state.mn.us
• TDD/TTY (For Hearing Impaired): (651) 297-1200
• Toll Free: 1-(800) 657-3782
• General Information: (651) 296-7124
• Fax: (651) 297-7073
• For comments, questions, and complaints, visit their web
page at www.puc.state.mn.us.
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
• General information and inquiries: fccinfo@fcc.gov
1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC)
• Voice: toll-free (888) 835-5322 (1-888-TELL FCC)
• TTY: toll-free (202) 418-2555
• TTY: toll (202) 418-0232
• FAX: (202) 418-2830 FAX on Demand
• Visit their web page at www.fcc.gov
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6. How do I sign up
for Minnesota's Do Not Call List and how does it work?
Minnesotans can call a toll-free phone number at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY - 1-866-290-4236) register up to three residential phone numbers during a single
call. The automated system will recognize the phone number and
will ask the caller to confirm the information.
Consumers can also register online by going to the Department
of Commerce Web site at http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/DNCWARN.htm.
Minnesota’s Do Not Call list, established by the 2002 legislature
and signed into law by Governor Ventura, is expected to reduce
the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls to consumers. Minnesota
residents may register their phone numbers – at no charge
- on the Do Not Call list and telemarketers are required to remove
those numbers from their databases.
As of January 1, 2003, telemarketers will be required to purchase
a new Do Not Call list every three months. Violators could face
civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation and repeat offenders
could be barred from all telemarketing in the state. The Department
of Commerce will maintain the list and enforce the law.
Certain organizations are exempt from the law and do not have
to purchase the Do Not Call list before phoning Minnesota residents:
- Non profit organizations
- Political organizations
- Businesses with a prior relationship with the customer
- Solicitors that do not intend to complete the sale over the
phone, but rather complete the transaction in a face-to-face
setting.
Other provisions in the No Call List law:
- All telemarketers will be prohibited from using devices that
disable Caller ID on consumers’ telephones.
- Telemarketers will be required to immediately identify themselves,
the company they represent and the product they are selling.
- If the Federal Trade Commission develops a nationwide "do
not call list," Minnesota’s list will be automatically
included on the national register. In that case, companies that
obtain the federal list wouldn’t be required to buy the
state list.
Complaints or Problems:
If you have problems with the registration system or any complaints
about the Do Not Call list, please call the Department of Commerce
at 651-282-5064.
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7. I have
some questions about LAN wiring - can you suggest any resources?
http://www.zytrax.com/tech/layer_1/cables/tech_lan.htm
might be a helpful guide for you. This link also has other cable
and wiring FAQ’s and information.
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