Case 96-C-1174, ORDER ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC INTEREST PAYPHONE PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING TARGETED ASSISTANCE FUND SUPPORT, (Issued and Effective September 25, 1998), was initiated by the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) to address and implement the requirements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and new federal payphone regulations adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
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PIP Definition
The NYSPSC has adopted the FCC definition of a Public Interest Payphone (PIP) as "...a payphone which:
(1) fulfills a public policy objective in health, safety, or public welfare,
(2) is not provided for a location provider with an existing contract for the provision of a payphone, and
(3) would not otherwise exist as a result of the operation of the competitive marketplace."
Eligibility
The PIP process is triggered by requests from either 1) local government entities or 2) consumer organizations for one or more additional payphones at specific locations that conform to the PIP definition.
PIP applications are subject to the approval of the Director, Office of Telecommunications. Local government entities or consumer organizations that believe there is a need for a payphone that meets the definition of PIP, and wish to submit a request for PIP consideration, should submit a letter to the address at the bottom of this page.
As part of the request, applicants should:
a) explain how the request meets the FCC definition of a PIP.
b) provide the location of the proposed PIP and the general location of the next nearest payphone.
NOTE: Eligible PIPs will be funded from the Targeted Assistance Fund (TAF). However, in municipalities that have payphone permit programs or location fees, TAF funding will generally not be available.
Submissions
Requests for PIP consideration should be submitted to the Director of the Office of Telecommunications at the following address:
New York State Department of Public Service
Office of Telecommunications
Agency Building 3
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12223