Section 64.24. Provision of bundled service packages

(a) Right to offer bundled services. Nothing in this chapter prohibits an LEC from offering bundled service packages, as defined in § 64.2 (relating to definitions), at a single price selected by the LEC.

(b) Exemption from certain regulations. An LEC that offers a single-rate bundled service package shall be exempt from certain sections of this chapter regarding payment and billing standards. The sections subject to exemption for bundled service packages are:

(1) Section 64.14(a)(4) and (5) (relating to billing information).

(2) Section 64.17 (relating to partial payments for current bills).

(3) Section 64.18 (relating to application of partial payments between past and current bills).

(4) Section 64.63(1) and (2) (relating to unauthorized suspension of service).

(c) Consumer protection requirements. An LEC that offers bundled service packages is subject to the following consumer protection requirements:

(1) Conversion to basic service. A residential customer’s failure to pay the single-rate bundled service package price may not result in immediate suspension or termination of basic service to the residential customer.

(i) When an LEC determines that a bundled service package shall be terminated for nonpayment, the account shall be converted to a basic service account subject to future suspension and termination in accordance with this chapter if the customer fails to make timely payments.

(ii) For an LEC which tracks the basic service portion of a bundled service package, when a customer fails to make payment sufficient to pay the basic service charges in the package, the LEC may suspend and terminate basic service for nonpayment in accordance with this chapter.

(2) Disclosure statement. An LEC shall send a disclosure statement to new bundled service package customers that:

(i) Notifies the customer of the LEC’s billing practices that shall be implemented in the event of the customer’s failure to pay the bundled service package charge in full.

(ii) Notifies the customer that failure to pay the bundled service package charge may not result in immediate suspension of basic service.

The provisions of this § 64.24 adopted June 25, 2010, effective June 26, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 3499.