If you are a residential customer of long distance telephone or “toll” service, you have probably received a notice from your telephone company explaining that the prices, service descriptions and terms and conditions for these long distance services will no longer be kept on file at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The reason behind these notices is something called “detariffing.”
Detariffing means that telephone companies will no longer file a document called a “tariff” to notify the PUCO about the rates, terms and conditions concerning your long distance service. Previously, the telephone company was legally bound to follow its tariff, and the tariff was the final word in the case of a dispute about the rates, terms or conditions of these services. Now, your telephone company must make this information available directly to you, and the agreement reached between you and your telephone company, instead of the tariff on file at the PUCO, will control new services or changes to these services.
This agreement, whether it is verbal or written, will still be subject to consumer protections required and enforced by the PUCO. For example, your telephone company must still provide a customer notice at least fifteen days in advance of rate increases, changes in terms and conditions and discontinuance of existing services. Also, the telephone company must send you, within 10 business days of signing you up for service not provided by contract, a welcome letter describing in detail the price, terms and conditions of the service. If you believe the welcome letter does not accurately reflect the service you ordered, you will have 30 days from the postmark of the welcome letter to change or switch your service without incurring an additional charge to make the change or switch. It is important that you carefully review and confirm the price, terms and conditions for any new services or changes to these services.
Detariffing does not automatically result in a change in the prices, terms or conditions of those services to which you currently subscribe. However, as you review any new services or changes in your service here are things to look for and ask your telephone company about:
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