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Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016) |
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Title 480. Utilities and Transportation Commission |
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Chapter 480-120. Telephone companies. |
Section 480-120-253. Automatic dialing-announcing device (ADAD).
Latest version.
- (1) An automatic dialing and announcing device (ADAD) is a device that automatically dials telephone numbers and plays a recorded message once a connection is made.(2) "Commercial solicitation" means an unsolicited initiation of a telephone conversation for the purpose of encouraging a person to purchase property, goods, or services.(3) This rule regulates the use of ADADs for purposes other than commercial solicitation. RCW 80.36.400 prohibits the use of an ADAD for purposes of commercial solicitation intended to be received by telephone customers within the state.(4) This rule does not apply to the use of ADADs by government agencies to deliver messages in emergency situations.(5) Except for emergency notification as provided for in subsection (6) of this section, an ADAD may be used for calls to telephone customers within the state only if:(a) The recorded message states the nature of the call, identifies the individual, business, group, or organization for whom the call is being made, and telephone number to which a return call can be placed;(b) The ADAD automatically disconnects the telephone connection within two seconds after the called party hangs up the receiver; and(c) The ADAD does not dial designated public service emergency telephone numbers as listed in published telephone directories, or any telephone number before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.(6) An emergency ADAD may be connected to the telephone network and used only if:(a) The ADAD contains sensors that will react only to a steady tone of at least four seconds duration, broadcasts only on frequencies allocated by the FCC for emergency services, and is designed to prevent accidental triggering of emergency calls;(b) The ADAD provides some audible tone or message that alerts the user that the device has been activated and will automatically dial the preprogrammed emergency number unless manually deactivated within thirty to forty-five seconds;(c) The ADAD provides for disconnection within two seconds when the called party performs a predetermined function;(d) The ADAD satisfies applicable state safety requirements; and(e) The user registers the instrument with, and receives written approval for, its use from the emergency service entity to which an automatic call would be directed, secures from such entity an approved telephone number or numbers to be programmed into the instrument, and does not program the instrument to dial unlisted numbers, law enforcement numbers, or E911 emergency response numbers.(7) Before any ADAD may be operated while connected to the telephone network, the potential ADAD user, unless it is a facilities-based LEC using its own facilities, must notify, in writing, the LEC whose facilities will be used to originate calls. The notice must include the intended use of the ADAD equipment, the calendar days and clock hours during which the ADADs will be used, an estimate of the expected traffic volume in terms of message attempts per hour and average length of completed message, and written certification that the equipment can effectively preclude calls to unlisted telephone numbers, designated public service emergency numbers, or any number or series of numbers on a list of telephone customers that may be in the future designated by tariff, regulation, or statute, as customers who are not to receive ADAD calls.(a) The ADAD user must notify the LEC in writing within thirty days of any changes in the ADAD operation that would result in either an increase or decrease in traffic volume.(b) For new applications for ADADs, the LEC must review the statement of intended use of ADAD equipment to determine whether there is a reasonable probability that use of the equipment will overload its facilities and may refuse to provide connections for the ADADs or may provide them subject to conditions necessary to prevent an overload.(8) A LEC may suspend or terminate service to an ADAD user if the LEC determines that the volume of calling originated by the ADAD is degrading the service furnished to others. The LEC must provide at least five days' notice before suspending or terminating service, unless the ADAD creates an overload in the LEC's switching office, in which case it may terminate service immediately, with no prior notice.(9) If a LEC learns that a customer is using an ADAD in violation of the provisions of this rule, the LEC must suspend or terminate the service of any ADAD user five days after the ADAD user receives a termination notice or immediately, with no prior notice, if use of the ADAD creates overloading in a LEC's switching office.(10) Each LEC must maintain records of any ADAD equipment a user reports to the LEC as being connected to its facilities. If requested by the commission, the LEC must provide the name of the individual business, group, or organization using the ADAD, their address, and the telephone number or numbers associated with the ADAD.