Preferred Carrier Freeze Information

PREFERRED CARRIER FREEZE INFORMATION

A significant problem known as “Slamming” is currently taking place in the telecommunications industry. Slamming is the illegal and unauthorized changing of your chosen telecommunications carrier. Previously, 3 Rivers Communications verified with the customer all requested carrier changes. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) however has prohibited us from performing this service.

In order to minimize the expense and inconvenience which may result from “slamming”, 3 Rivers Communications offers its subscribers the protection of a “freeze” of their carrier, either local or long distance. Subscribers may freeze the carrier providing any or all services; however, FCC Rules require a separate authorization for each service.

If you choose a Preferred Carrier Freeze, 3 Rivers Communications will not change your carrier without your direct authorization. There is no charge for establishing a Preferred Carrier Freeze or for lifting a freeze order. The charge for changing long distance carriers is $5.50. There is no charge to change local carriers. The FCC’s verification procedure for removing a Preferred Carrier Freeze and changing a preferred carrier requires one of the following actions to occur before you or anyone else changes your specified carrier:

• You authorize 3 Rivers Communications in writing to lift the freeze for the particular service.


• You orally request 3 Rivers Communications to lift the freeze from the telephone line for which the change is to be made. This telephone call may be on a three-way conference call with the carrier to which you are changing the service and a representative of 3 Rivers Communications. We will ask for identifying information during this call.

These actions are in addition to the verification procedures, which are required by the FCC and the Montana Public Service Commission for changing a preferred carrier.

In some circumstances, your preferred carrier may change your service to another long distance company that carries its service. A Preferred Carrier Freeze will not prevent this reselling of your service. 3 Rivers Communications has no way of preventing these changes under the current FCC rules.

Please complete and sign the enclosed form to authorize a Preferred Carrier Freeze. It is important that you sign ALL areas for which you intend a freeze.

If you should have questions regarding your Preferred Carrier Freeze, please contact a customer service representative at 1-800-796-4567.

Proceed to the Preferred Carrier Freeze Authorization form.
(Requires Free Adobe Reader - Download Here)