Update On Requests For Waiver Of Sections IV.D.(1) & (2) Of The KCC Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards
Madison Telephone Requests Waiver Of Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards
October 30, 2025 – Madison Telephone, LLC has filed a petition with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of certain sections of the KCC’s Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards. Specifically, Madison is seeking a waiver of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) of the Billing Practice Standards which require telecommunications carriers to give a subscriber seven calendar days written notice, sent via U.S. mail, before suspending or disconnecting service. Madison requests that the KCC waive those requirements and allow the company “to substitute electronic mailing of notices of suspension or disconnection of service. In its filing, Madison explains that the cost of preparing and mailing suspension or service disconnection notices to customers is $2.90 per notice. Madison’s total cost to prepare and mail notices for calendar year 2024 was $974.40. Madison further explains that in addition to cost savings, using email will allow the company to more quickly notify customers of potential suspension or disconnection. Finally, Madison notes that the KCC has granted similar waivers from the Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards in the following dockets: 11-RRLT-188-MIS; 15-MRGT-110-MIS; 25-SCNT-346-MIS; 25-GRHT-337-MIS; 25-BLVT-321-MIS; 25-RNBT-212-MIS; and 25-HVDT-204-MIS. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-MDTT-136-MIS.
South Central Telephone Requests Waiver Of KCC Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards
March 10, 2025 – South Central Telephone Association, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) of the KCC’s Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards. Those sections require telecommunications carriers to give a subscriber seven calendar days written notice, sent via U.S. mail, before suspending or disconnecting their voice service. South Central is requesting a waiver to allow it “to substitute electronic mailing of notices of suspension or disconnection of service.” The KCC has previously granted similar waivers of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2). South Central states that its “company-wide cost…to process and mail paper disconnect notices for the 2024 calendar year was $5,213.19 across all jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional services.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-SCNT-346-MIS.
Gorham Telephone Requests Waiver Of Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards
March 3, 2025 – Gorham Telephone Company, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) of the KCC’s Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards. Those sections require telecommunications carriers to give a subscriber seven calendar days written notice, sent via U.S. mail, before suspending or disconnecting service. Gorham is requesting a waiver to allow it “to substitute electronic mailing of notices of suspension or disconnection of service.” The KCC has previously granted similar waivers of the requirements in sections IV.D.(1) and (2). Sending electronic notices will allow Gorham to remove the costs of processing and mailing paper notices, which were $549.46 in calendar year 2024. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-GRHT-337-MIS.
Blue Valley Tele-Communications, Inc. Requests KCC Billing Standards Waiver To Send Service Suspension & Disconnection Notices Via Email
February 14, 2025 – Blue Valley Tele-Communications, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) of the KCC’s Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards. Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) require telecommunications carriers to give a subscriber seven calendar days written notice, sent via U.S. mail, before suspending or disconnecting service. Blue Valley is requesting a waiver to allow it “to substitute electronic mailing of notices of suspension or disconnection of service.” The KCC has previously granted similar waivers from these standards (Docket No. 11-RRLT-188-MIS; Docket No. 15-MRGT-110-MIS; Docket No. 25-HVDT-204-MIS; and Docket No. 25-RNBT-212-MIS). Blue Valley currently allows new customers to initiate service via electronic means, and offers subscribers the option to choose electronic delivery of their monthly bills. The Company states that its costs “to process and mail the paper disconnect notices for the 2024 calendar year was $943.63.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-BLVT-321-MIS.
Rainbow Telecommunications Requests Waiver Of Certain KCC Billing Practice Standards
November 8, 2024 – Rainbow Telecommunications Association, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of certain provisions of the KCC’s Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards. Specifically, Rainbow has requested a waiver of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) of the Billing Practice Standards which require telecommunications carriers to give a subscriber a grace period of seven calendar days written notice, sent via U.S. mail, before suspending or disconnecting service. Upon grant of the requested waiver, in most cases, Rainbow will instead email notices of suspension or disconnection of service. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-RNBT-212-MIS.
Haviland Requests Waiver Of Certain Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards
November 1, 2024 – Haviland Telephone Company, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of certain provisions of the KCC’s Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards. Specifically, Haviland is requesting a waiver of Sections IV.D.(1) and (2) of the Billing Practice Standards which require telecommunications carriers to give a subscriber a grace period of seven calendar days written notice, sent via U.S. mail, before suspending or disconnecting service. Haviland has requested the KCC grant a waiver that allows Haviland to substitute electronic mailing of notices of suspension or disconnection of service. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-HVDT-204-MIS.
