CONTACT: Kyle DeVine November 5, 1997 CPUC - 562
213-897-4225 (C95-08-039)

CPUC SAYS "CROSS-CONNECTS" ARE PAC BELL'S TO MAINTAIN AND ORDERS REFUNDS TO CONSUMERS CHARGED FOR WORK ON THEM

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has determined that Pacific Bell (Pac Bell) has incorrectly charged consumers when it reattaches a "cross-connect," or jumper, from Pacific's equipment to the building's equipment to provide phone service for the building's occupants. In August 1993, the Commission determined that cross-connects are part of the utilities' facilities which they should maintain as part of basic service at no additional charge to consumers. So consumers who were charged for reattaching them will receive refunds.

The CPUC received complaints from North Point Apartments and the Fillmore Center in San Francisco stating their owners or tenants were charged $85.00 for reattaching cross connects which Pacific Bell had previously removed and used to install service for other tenants.

When apartment or business complexes are built, telecommunications equipment boxes for both the utility and the building are installed near each other and cross-connects are attached from one box to the other to provide service. When an occupant wants more lines for the home or business than were previously wired for that premises, Pac Bell takes cross-connects from lines that are not being used and uses them for the service they are installing. Then, when someone wants service on a line that no longer has a cross-connect in place and there are no more unused cross-connects available, Pac Bell charges the customer $85, formerly $75, to attach one. The Commission does not object to Pacific being frugal by moving unused cross-connects, but it may not charge customers for moving them.

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CPUC Says Cross-Connects are Pacific Bell's - page 2

Pacific will stop charging any owners or customers for connecting cross-connects.

Pacific will review its work orders for these apartments since August 8, 1993 - when the Commission had determined cross-connects were utility facilities - and, within 120 days, refund the charges, with interest from the date payment was made, to each current and former customer it charged.

Pacific shall develop a plan, within 90 days, to identify and notify all other customers and building owners that they may have been charged in error for work on cross-connects at their premises.