Section 63.96. Service requirements for coin telephones

(a) A coin telephone shall provide two-way service and may be converted to one-way outgong service only under extraordinary circumstances when the Commission determines that the action is justified based on public health, safety or welfare concerns, and is in the best interest of the public.

(b) A local exchange carrier, payphone service provider or other interested party may seek Commission review of whether conversion of a coin telephone from two-way service to one-way is justified by extraordinary circumstances. Conversion requests shall be made in writing and shall identify the telephone number and location of the coin telephone, and describe the circumstances which justify conversion.

(c) The Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Services shall determine whether a conversion request is justified within 10 days of its receipt unless the information provided by the requesting party is inadequate to make a determination. The Bureau will notify the requesting party and the owner of the coin telephone of its determination by telephone. The Bureau will provide the requesting party and the owner of the coin telephone written notice of its determination. The Bureau will limit the duration of the conversion authorization if it appears that the circumstances justifying the conversion are temporary in nature.

(d) A party may appeal the Bureau’s determination, or request that a coin telephone previously approved for one-way conversion be returned to two-way service, by filing a formal complaint with the Commission.

(e) In instances where a conversion request involves allegations of drug trafficking from a coin telephone or other emergency circumstances pertaining to public health, safety or welfare concerns, the Bureau may telephonically authorize the owner of the coin telephone to convert the telephone to one-way service on the same day the emergency conversion request is received. Following an emergency conversion authorization, the Bureau will review the conversion request under the procedures established in subsection (c).

The provisions of this § 63.96 adopted August 26, 1988, effective August 27, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 3810; amended June 10, 1994, effective June 11, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2922; amended July 17, 1998, effective July 18, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3394. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (205918) to (205920).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 63.96 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 504—506, 1301—1325, 1501—1511 and 2911—2915.