WestTennessee

Customer Information

Telecommunications Devices Access Program (TDAP) This program, implemented by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, will distribute appropriate telecommunications devices so that persons who are deaf, deaf and blind, severely hard of hearing, severely hard of hearing and vision impaired or severely speech impaired may effectively use basic telephone service. Devices are issued on a first come, first-served basis without charge. However, there are certain qualifiers that may enable individuals to receive devices on a priority basis. Information on distribution, eligibility requirements and qualifiers as well as an application may be found on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission web site at www.tn.gov/tpuc , or by calling 1-800-342 8359 or 1-888-276-0677 (TTY). Slamming (Unauthorized Change of Long Distance Service) A ruling by the Federal Communications Commission prevents local service providers like Ritter Communications from verifying a long distance carrier change with the customer prior to making the change. Previously, Ritter Communications contacted customers by phone when a request was issued to change their long distance service provider. Without this verification process, customers may be vulnerable to “slamming” in which someone tries to change your long distance carrier without your consent. If you are slammed, after contacting our business office, please contact the Tennessee Public Utility Commission. While Ritter Communications cannot notify customers in advance of a request to change their long distance provider, we can help customers prevent any unwanted changes in the future. All subscribers have the option of freezing their current long distance provider. This is a free service to all customers and is easy to activate. Once a customer requests a freeze, long distance service will not be changed unless the responsible party contacts Ritter Communications to remove the freeze. Also, the customer must call the long distance carrier of their choice to request their service. The carrier will then send a written request to Ritter Communications and an order will be sent through to change the carrier. Persons interested in freezing long distance service should call 1-888 336-4466 or stop by one of our business offices for details. To verify the name of your current long distance carrier, call toll-free at 1-700 555-4141. Tennessee Public Utility Commission 502 Deaderick St., 4 th Floor · Nashville, TN 37243 Telephone No: 1-800-342-8359 TTY: 1-888-276-0677 Online Complaint Form: http://www.tn.gov/tpuc There is no fee. Staff will request a copy of the page of the telephone bill containing the unauthorized charge.

Do Not Call Registries – TPUC • FCC

Tennessee residential customers can now enroll in the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) Do Not Call Register. The Register is a list of the residential telephone subscribers who do not wish to be solicited by telemarketers. To enroll online, go to the TPUC’s web site at www. tn.gov/tpuc , or call toll-free 1-877-872-7030 from your home. Business numbers may not be included on the list. Telemarketers are prohibited from calling your telephone number 60 days after you enroll, unless exempted by law.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have also established a National Do Not Call Registry: 1-888-382-1222. For more information about the rules and regulations, you may visit the web site at www. donotcall.gov .

www.tn.gov/tpuc

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