 | Zach Adams is the marketing manager for Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative. Craw-Kan offers cooperative members security systems, local telephone, long distance, high speed internet, digital cable television, IP television and cellular phone service. Zach can be contacted directly at Craw-Kan (620)724-8235 or by emailing zach@ckt.net. |
Communications
2011-03-01 10:26:00
What is CPNI and why do I need a password to obtain my billing information?
Answer: Title VII of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 established the duty of telecommunication service providers to protect consumer privacy in respect to a customer’s individually identifiable information obtained in the course of providing service, such as where you call and for how long.
CPNI stands for Customer Proprietary Network Information. The FCC implemented rules to protect the privacy of your information contained in your account. The rules allow telecommunication providers to discuss account information only with the person(s) listed on the account. Additionally, we must be able to authenticate authorized individuals by asking for a password or by asking a specific question. Anyone not authorized on the account cannot gain access, whether they are a spouse or relative.
Your CPNI information includes such things as:
• Telephone line type and its technical characteristics
• Service class
• Existing phone charges
• Local and long distance service billing records
• Directory assistant charges
• Usage data
• Calling patterns
• All optional services to which the customer has subscribed
CPNI information does not include the customer’s personal information, such as their name, address and phone number. This information remains available only to the customer and the service provider. However that privilege is suspended when service is discontinued and cannot be used, for example, as a call list to win customers back.
CPNI information can be gathered to create aggregate customer information in order to improve services according to customer needs.
While it seems like an inconvenience, the practice is in place to protect your privacy.
