General FAQs

FCC Mandated Access Charge: Also known as a Subscriber Line Charge, this is a federally mandated fee that all telephone users pay. This creates a national pool of money that is used to subsidize areas of the country where it costs more to provide phone service (like the areas we live). If Americans did not have this fee on their phone bill, your cost to receive local phone service would more than triple. Park Region Telephone customers actually benefit from this national program.

FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE CHARGE (UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND (USF) OR UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY FEE)

Because telephones provide a vital link to emergency services, to government services and to surrounding communities, it has been our nation’s policy to promote telephone service to all households since this service began in the 1930s. The USF helps to make phone service affordable and available to all Americans, including consumers with low incomes, those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service is high, schools and libraries and rural health care providers. Congress has mandated that all telephone companies providing interstate service must contribute to the USF. Although not required to do so by the government, many carriers choose to pass their contribution costs on to their customers in the form of a line item, often called the “Federal Universal Service Fee” or “Universal Connectivity Fee.”

DSL (digital subscriber line) is high-speed Internet access over your existing phone line. DSLconverts your existing analog phone line into a high-speed digital phone line. Using DSLtechnology, it delivers up to 50MB per second – that’s at least 100 times faster than a standard 56K dial-up modem!

How does DSL service work?

DSL technology takes advantage of your existing phone line. While regular phone calls are transferred at relatively low frequencies, DSL data is transmitted at much higher frequencies. Both types of transmission can occur simultaneously without interference. Voice transmissions and fax machines will operate as usual.

Can I get DSL service?

We are installing the equipment necessary to provide DSL service in many of our serving areas. However, DSL service is also contingent on the distance from your home to the DSL access equipment we have installed in our central office in your exchange. Each type of equipment and technology has a varying maximum reach, but the average maximum distance at which high-speed DSL data can be delivered is about 18,000 cable feet. To find out if DSL is available to you or other alternatives available, call our Customer Service Department at 218-998-2000 or 218-826-6161.

What does an “always on” connection mean?

DSL gives you a dedicated connection between your computer and your phone network so your computer is always connected to the Internet. There’s no more dialing in, no more waiting to get online, no more busy signals. “Always on” means the Internet is always a click away.

What is the charge for DSL?

Click here for pricing information.

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

121 7th Place E. Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101-2147

• Consumer Assistance/Information: (651) 296-0406 consumer.puc@state.mn.us
• TDD/TTY (For Hearing Impaired): (651) 297-1200
• Toll Free: (800) 657-3782
• General Information: (651) 296-7124
• Fax: (651) 297-7073
• For comments, questions, and complaints, visit their web page at Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

• General information and inquiries: fccinfo@fcc.gov 1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC)
• Voice: toll-free (888) 835-5322 (1-888-TELL FCC)
• TTY: toll-free (202) 418-2555
• TTY: toll (202) 418-0232
• FAX: (202) 418-2830 FAX on Demand
• Visit their web page at www.fcc.gov

Most networks are now wireless and we offer a managed service to make the internet work everywhere at your home.  See our internet service page for more information.

For traditional wired networking, our technical team is available for network upgrades and repairs at your home or business.  Contact us for design and installation information.

If you’re interested in doing it yourself, this networking article at Zytrax might be a helpful guide for you. This link also has other cable and wiring frequently asked questions and information.