1998 Minnesota Statutes

     237.68 Private shared telecommunications service. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definition.  For the purposes of this 
 section, "private shared telecommunications services" means the 
 provision of telephone services and equipment within a user 
 group located in discrete private premises, in building 
 complexes, campuses, or high-rise buildings, by a commercial 
 shared services provider or by a user association, through 
 privately owned customer premises equipment and associated data 
 processing and information management services and includes the 
 provision of connections to the facilities of a local exchange 
 and to long-distance telephone companies.  

    Subd. 2.    Requirements.  A person who owns or operates 
 a building, property, complex, or other facility where a private 
 shared telecommunications system is operated shall establish a 
 single demarcation point for services and facilities provided by 
 the telephone company providing local exchange service in the 
 area that is mutually agreeable to the property owner or 
 operator and the telephone company.  The obligation of a 
 telephone company to provide service to a customer at a location 
 where a private shared telecommunications system is operated is 
 limited to providing telephone company service and facilities up 
 to the demarcation point established for the property where the 
 private shared telecommunications system is located. 

    Subd. 3.    Access to alternative provider.  A tenant of 
 a building, property, complex, or other facility where a private 
 shared telecommunications system is operated may establish a 
 direct connection to and receive telephone service from the 
 telephone company providing local exchange service in the area 
 where the private shared telecommunications system is located.  
 At the request of a tenant where a private shared 
 telecommunications system is operated, the owner or manager of 
 the property shall make facilities or conduit space available to 
 the tenant to allow the tenant to make separate connection to 
 and to receive telephone service directly from the telephone 
 company operating local exchange service in the area.  The 
 tenant has the choice of installing the tenant's own facilities 
 or using the existing facilities.  The facilities or conduit 
 space must be provided by the owner or operator to the tenant at 
 a reasonable rate and on reasonable terms and conditions.  It is 
 the obligation of the tenant to arrange for premises wire, 
 cable, or other equipment necessary to connect the tenant's 
 telephone equipment with the facilities of the telephone company 
 operating local exchange service at the location of the 
 demarcation point.  

    Subd. 4.    Enforcement.  If the commission finds that 
 the owner or operator of a private shared telecommunications 
 system has failed to comply with a request under this section, 
 the commission may order the owner or operator to make 
 facilities or conduit space available sufficient to allow the 
 tenant to make separate connection with the telephone company, 
 and provide the services at reasonable prices and on reasonable 
 terms and conditions.  

    Subd. 5.    Exemption.  A provider of private shared 
 telecommunications services is exempt from section 237.16 if the 
 telecommunications services are only provided to tenants or for 
 the provider's own use.  

    Subd. 6.    Service by local telephone company.  The 
 telephone company providing local exchange service shall provide 
 service to anyone located within a shared services building at 
 the demarcation point within a reasonable time upon request.  

    HIST: 1987 c 340 s 12