OREGON CONTRACT TERMS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why were these services moved from a Tariff to Catalog Terms?
A. The Oregon Commission approved Qwest’s request that these services be treated differently.
Q. How has the move from a Tariff to Catalog Terms changed the way Qwest does business?
A. Generally, Qwest provides the same competitive, non-discriminatory rates and services it provided before deregulation. However, by moving products and services from the Tariff to the Catalog Terms, Qwest will be able to respond to a customer's telecommunications needs more quickly.
Q. What are Tariffs?
A. Tariffs are documents containing the terms, conditions, charges and rates for certain Qwest services that are filed with the Oregon Public Utility Commission (the “Oregon Commission”). When customers order services and products in the Tariff, the terms, conditions, charges and rates set out in the Tariffs for the services and products so ordered govern and apply to those services and products, as a matter of law. They are the binding, lawful terms, conditions, charges and rates, effective between the customer and Qwest. Any changes in the terms, conditions, charges and rates, modify and apply to the customer and Qwest, as a matter of law, upon an accepted filing with the Oregon Commission.
Q. What is deregulation? Why is the move from Tariffs to Catalog Terms referred to as deregulation?
A. Deregulation is a process by which the terms, conditions, charges and rates for the services and products that were governed by documents filed with the Oregon Commission will no longer be filed with the Oregon Commission. Instead, the information previously contained in Tariffs will appear in Catalog Terms that will be set out at Qwest’s Web site. These services and products will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Commission. On February 15, 2007, with the permission of the Oregon Commission, Qwest moved the terms, conditions, charges and rates for Frame Relay Service, Asynchronous Transfer Mode Service, Outward WATS and 800 Services offered to our business subscribers from Tariffs filed with the Oregon Commission to Catalog Terms set out on the Qwest Web site. These services and products are now provided under the Catalog Terms, instead of the Tariffs. The terms, conditions, charges and rates in the Catalog Terms are now the contract between a customer and Qwest for those services and products.
Q. What are the Catalog Terms?
A. The Catalog Terms contain information about Qwest's deregulated services, including the applicable terms, conditions, charges and rates to which the customer and Qwest are bound. The Catalog Terms are the contract between the customer and Qwest, enforceable by either party, in accordance with the provisions in the Catalog Terms. Terms, conditions, charges and rates for some services are separate and provided to customers when those services are ordered.
Q. Does the Oregon Commission have any regulatory authority over deregulated services?
A. No.
Q. Is a new agreement with Qwest required when services move from a Tariff to a Catalog?
A. No. The Catalog Terms will replace Tariffs and become the contract for the affected services, as of February 15, 2007. During the transition from Tariffs to Catalog Terms, Qwest is not changing any of the terms, conditions, charges and rates for the affected services and so the effective contract between Qwest and the customers will remain the same. Existing contracts for services, term plan agreements, and other specific contracts or agreements with Qwest will not be affected and the contract or agreement will continue until it expires.
Q. Does the move from a Tariff to the Catalog Terms mean my rates will change?
A. No rate change is planned in connection with the deregulation and move of the services and products to the Catalog Terms. Your rates will be displayed on this Web site, but they can be modified from time to time by making that change to the Catalog Terms. We will provide you with notice of important changes, such as rate increases.
Q. Does the move from a Tariff to the Catalog Terms mean my term will change?
A. No. You remain free to terminate the deregulated services at any time, unless you have signed or agreed to a term commitment or contract with Qwest for a specified time period.
Q. How will you notify me of changes to my deregulated service?
A. You will be notified of important changes to your services in much the same manner that you were notified before. When Qwest makes important changes to your service, such as a price increase, you will be notified via bill messages, inserts or separate mailings. Changes that do not materially change your obligation, such as price decreases or changes in practices, may simply be made by changing the Catalog Terms.
Q. What if I do not agree with some of the terms and conditions in the Catalog Terms? Will the Qwest representative from whom I purchased the service work out different terms and conditions?
A. Qwest representatives may not authorize or agree to any change, alteration or modification of the Catalog Terms set out on the Web site. If you do not wish to agree to those terms and conditions, you should cancel and terminate the service.
Q. So I don’t have much choice, do I?
A. You have a number of choices in providers and terms and conditions. The Catalog Terms are virtually identical to the Tariffs that were filed with, and by implication approved by, the Oregon Commission, and they are very, very similar to terms and conditions filed and approved in other states with other commissions. So, we are confident that the Catalog Terms are reasonable and fair, and consistent with the best practices in the industry.
Q. How can I learn about my current rates or the terms of my agreement with Qwest?
A. If you have questions about your services or products, contract or term agreement, the Catalog Terms, other catalogs, price lists, effective Tariffs, or other matters, this Web site has most of that information. For assistance and for information not on this Web site, you may contact Qwest Customer Service at 1 800-860-1020.
Q. Where can I get copies of Catalogs?
A. To see a copy of current materials, please return to the bottom of the previous page (Back Button) and click on the appropriate link or search function to locate the service you would like to see. Also, you can view Catalogs at our offices in Portland at 421 SW Oak St, Portland, Oregon.