Section 45.50.473. Disclosure of costs of certain telephone services.

   (a) A person may not provide an alternate operator service without disclosing to the consumer before a charge is incurred the cost of the service provided by the person and the identity of the person providing those services. This section does not affect the power of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to regulate providers of alternate operator services under AS 42.05 in a manner consistent with this section.
   (b) The owner of a place where telephone business from consumers is aggregated, including a hotel, motel, hospital, and pay telephone other than a telephone utility regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, shall disclose a surcharge added to the cost of local or long distance telephone service before the service is provided. Disclosure may be made by posting the amount of the surcharge on or near the telephone instruments subject to the surcharge or by other reasonable written or oral means.
   (c) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice under AS 45.50.471. It is presumed that actual damages to the consumer under AS 45.50.531(a) are equal to the cost of the service provided plus $200. Additional damages must be proved.
   (d) In this section, "alternate operator service" has the meaning given in AS 42.05.325(c).

Authorities

45.50.471

Notes

References

AS 45.50.471 Unlawful acts and practices.

History

(Sec. 4 ch 82 SLA 1990; am Sec. 2 ch 96 SLA 1998)