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OUCC > Consumer Publications > Telecommunications > Telephone Rate Deregulation Telephone Rate Deregulation

An overview from the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)

Effective July 1, 2009, rates and charges for retail telecommunications services in Indiana will be fully deregulated.

Deregulation of telephone service in Indiana has been phased in since 2006, when the Indiana General Assembly approved House Enrolled Act 1279 (Public Law 27-2006) declaring that “competition has become commonplace in the provision of telecommunications services in Indiana and the United States.” The law’s approval ended state authority to regulate landline telephone service rates for business and most residential customers.

  • In the last three years, the only telephone service rates and charges that have remained under Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) jurisdiction were for stand-alone basic local services (BLS) for residential landline customers.

  • Rates and charges for any landline telephone service including non-basic features (such as caller ID, voice mail, call forwarding, or any other additional service) as well as bundled service packages have been exempt from IURC jurisdiction since 2006.

The IURC has never exercised jurisdiction over rates and charges for:

  • Wireless/cellular telephone services

  • Internet telephone services (voice over Internet protocol)

  • Internet service

  • Cable and video services

With the change in the law that takes effect July 1, 2009, all retail telecommunications services will be removed from IURC jurisdiction.

The IURC, however, will still have jurisdiction to enforce or administer state and federal laws concerning:

  • Slamming and Cramming

  • Universal Service support programs

  • Service matters regarding hearing- and speech-impaired customers (dual-party relay)

  • Dialing code administration (including 211 & 811 dialing codes, area codes and number conservation)

  • Interconnection agreements and resolution of carrier-to-carrier disputes

The IURC will also retain jurisdiction over “providers of last resort” matters, to ensure that landline telephone services are available to all customers who request them.

With regard to cable and video services, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established specific customer service standards. The IURC is enforcing these standards and will continue to do so. For more information, please review the OUCC’s Cable Television fact sheet (http://www.in.gov/oucc/2404.htm).

If you have complaints or concerns regarding telephone or other telecommunications services, you should follow these steps:

  • Promptly contact the service provider and attempt to resolve the matter.

  • If the problem is not resolved, contact the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) toll-free at 1-800-851-4268 or www.in.gov/iurc to report your concerns.

  • Be aware that the IURC cannot resolve disputes between consumers and telecom providers except for specific matters within its jurisdiction (including slamming and cramming complaints, as well as video service quality issues addressed by FCC standards).

  • Know that information provided to the IURC will be included and/or noted in reports to the Indiana General Assembly and other appropriate entities.

  • Understand that the retail telecommunications industry is now considered competitive under Indiana law, allowing consumers to choose among competing service providers.

The OUCC encourages consumers to register telecom-related concerns with the IURC to help ensure that the IURC’s reports to the General Assembly are as accurate and complete as possible.

Additional Resources:

 

6/09

 

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