Consolidated Seeks End of Vt. PUC Billing Probe

The Vermont Public Utility Commission should close a probe into Consolidated Communications billing, the company said Tuesday. Responding to a customer complaint, the Vermont PUC on Sept. 30 opened an investigation into whether Consolidated billing systems and practices violated PUC rules (docket 24-0322-CC). The customer had a bundled phone and internet package so it can’t have violated Commission Rule 7.620(F), which “expressly excludes ‘a bundled package of services,’” said Consolidated. Additionally, the complaint didn’t say what payments weren’t appropriated applied, the telco argued. Concerning charges for international calls, Consolidated said it “billed the customer … consistent with the terms of the customer’s service.” And, Consolidated noted, it properly charged two early termination fees.