SECTION 26.321. 9-1-1 calls, "0-" calls, and End User Choice

(a) This section does not apply to a deregulated company holding a certificate of operating authority or to an exempt carrier under Public Utility Act (PURA) §52.154.

(b) A contract between an operator service provider (OSP) and a call aggregator for the provision of operator services through telephones that are intended for public use shall require the call aggregator to allow 9-1-1 calls to be outpulsed directly to the public service answering point without requiring a coin or credit card.

(c) Where end user choice, as defined in §26.5 of this title (relating to Definitions), is not available, a contract between an OSP and a call aggregator for the provision of operator services through telephones that are intended for public use shall require the call aggregator to allow "0-" calls and to directly, without charge to the calling party, route all "0-" calls to an OSP that provides access to emergency services that meet the technical standards set forth in paragraphs (1) - (6) of this subsection. The OSP shall:

(1) identify the originating telephone number and the location of the originating telephone, except dominant certificated telecommunications utilities (DCTUs) shall be allowed to identify the location using internal sources such as repair service or business office records if such internal sources are accessible to operators for emergency purposes 24 hours a day;

(2) have a complete and current list of all emergency service provider telephone numbers for each NPA-NXX served, including, but not limited to, police or sheriff, fire, and ambulance;

(3) be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without requiring a coin or credit card;

(4) promptly connect the appropriate emergency service provider;

(5) stay on the line until such time as the operator determines that the caller has been connected to the proper emergency service provider; and

(6) require that the call aggregator make a test call when equipment providing access to the OSP is installed, serviced, or relocated and at least semi-annually from each originating telephone number subscribed to the OSP, in order to verify the originating telephone number and the location of the telephone, unless the OSP receives automatic number identification (ANI), as defined in §26.5 of this title for that telephone number.

(d) When and where available, use of end user choice is required.

(e) The requirements of this section shall not apply to telephones located in confinement facilities.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the initial routing of "0-" calls from pay telephones owned by a local exchange company that provides access to emergency service providers and that meets the requirements enumerated in §26.315 of this title (relating to Requirements for Dominant Certificated Telecommunications Utilities (DCTUs)) to any OSP other than the local exchange company itself.

Source Note: The provisions of this §26.321 adopted to be effective March 15, 2000, 25 TexReg 2054; amended to be effective April 7, 2014, 39 TexReg 2499