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New York State Public Service Commission Approves Customer Notification Forms for Copper to Fiber Transitions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The New York State Public Service Commission has issued an order approving the filings of customer notification forms for copper to fiber telephone network transitions, as required by Public Service Law (PSL) Sec.104-a. The law mandates that telephone corporations provide notice to customers at least 45 days prior to transitioning from copper-based to fiber optic-based telephone service. The approved customer notification forms meet the form and content requirements of PSL Sec.104-a, including descriptions of the differences between copper-based and fiber optic-based telephone lines, effects of power outages, and availability of battery back-up options.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Service Law (PSL) Sec.104-a requires telephone corporations to provide customer notice at least 45 days prior to transitioning from copper-based to fiber optic-based telephone service.
  • The Commission has approved 15 draft Customer Notices filed by Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) for use as a template for future filings.
  • The approved customer notification forms meet the form and content requirements of PSL Sec.104-a, including descriptions of the differences between copper-based and fiber optic-based telephone lines.
  • LECs must only serve approved customer notices on customers actually targeted for a transition within a reasonable time.
  • The Commission expects LECs to not serve customers with approved customer notices unless the customer's line is reasonably expected to undergo a transition to fiber optic-based service within the next 180 days.
  • The Commission has approved the filings of customer notification forms for copper to fiber telephone network transitions by the following companies:

* Xchange Telecom LLC

* Constructure Technologies LLC

* Citizens Telecommunications Company of New York, Inc. d/b/a Frontier Communications of New York

* Frontier Communications of Ausable Valley, Inc.

* Frontier Communications of New York, Inc.

* Frontier Communications of Seneca-Gorham, Inc.

* Frontier Communications of Sylvan Lake, Inc.

* Frontier Telephone of Rochester, Inc.

* Ogden Telephone Company d/b/a Frontier Ogden Telephone Company

* Deposit Telephone Company

* Edwards Telephone Company, Inc.

* Oriskany Falls Telephone Company

* Port Byron Telephone Company

* Township Telephone Company, Inc.

* Vernon Telephone Company

Statistics:

  • 15 draft Customer Notices have been approved by the Commission, all of which meet the form and content requirements of PSL Sec.104-a.
  • The approved customer notification forms were filed by 15 Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) since December 16, 2022.
  • The Commission expects LECs to not serve customers with approved customer notices unless the customer's line is reasonably expected to undergo a transition to fiber optic-based service within the next 180 days.
  • The Commission has granted approval to serve approved customer notices on customers actually targeted for a transition within a reasonable time.

Sources:

  • Case 22-C-0540, Proceeding to Establish Adequate Customer Notice of Copper to Fiber Transitions, Order Approving Filings of Customer Notification Forms for Copper to Fiber Telephone Network Transitions (issued February 13, 2023)
  • Public Service Law (PSL) Sec.104-a

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