Section 63.53. General provisions

(a) A public utility shall provide telephone service to the public in its service area in accordance with its tariff on file with the Commission. The quality of service shall meet or exceed the minimum standards set forth in this subchapter.

(b) If a public utility fails to meet a standard service surveillance level in a reporting entity as described in this subchapter, the service data for the standard not met in that reporting entity shall be filed with the Commission.

(c) A public utility shall provide access to operator-assisted services for all exchanges at all hours.

(d) A public utility shall provide equipment and facilities designed and engineered in accordance with realistic forecasts of customer demand and shall maintain, or have access to, a stock of associated equipment to meet the demand.

(e) If unreasonable hardship to a person or to a utility results from compliance within this subchapter, application may be made to the Commission for modification of the section or for temporary exemption from its requirements. The adoption of this subchapter by the Commission will not preclude the altering or amending of the provisions in a manner consistent with applicable statutory procedures, nor will the adoption of this subchapter preclude the Commission from granting temporary exemptions in exceptional cases. A person or utility that files an application under this section shall provide notice to a person who may be affected by the modification or temporary exemption. Notice may be made by a bill insert or in another reasonable manner.

The provisions of this § 63.53 adopted January 29, 1988, effective July 30, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 466.

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 63.53 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 504, 1501, 1504 and 2901.