Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §7307 is enacted to read:

§7307.__Internet access

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after December 31, 1999, any telephone call initiated and completed within a flat- rate, basic service calling area that is carried beyond the basic service calling area for the purpose of accessing the Internet or other computer-based information network is deemed to have terminated within the basic service calling area and the customer making the call must be billed for the call at the basic service flat rate.__By January 1, 2000, the commission shall adopt rules implementing this section.__The rules must specify a means of identifying calls that are governed by this section and may provide a cost recovery mechanism for carriers.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that any telephone call made within a flat- rate, basic service calling area that is carried beyond the basic service calling area for the purpose of accessing the Internet or other computer-based information network is deemed to have terminated within the basic service calling area and the customer making the call must be billed at the basic service flat rate. The Public Utilities Commission is directed to adopt rules implementing this provision.