Net Neutrality Disclosures

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom are committed to providing high-quality Internet access services and is committed to being a responsible member of the Internet Community, including adhering to the “net neutrality” rules set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Transparent Network Management Practices

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s data network are designed to provide customers with highly reliable Internet access and data transmission services.  Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom have redundant data backbone facilities and equipment which instantaneously re-route traffic in the event of a cable cut or other outage. We monitor our network’s performance twenty four hours a day seven days a week. We measure capacity utilization at each routing and switching node within our network. When peak utilization consistently exceeds fifty percent of capacity, we augment capacity to prevent customers from experiencing blockages. We do not dedicate capacity to individual customers utilizing our mass market Internet access products. We constantly manage our data network capacity to avoid blockages. 

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom have a 7x24x365 team of people who proactively monitor all network elements and services. This team uses advanced industry tools to gain visibility to impairments as well as services that may become impaired. These tools provide Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom the ability to identify deteriorating situations allowing us to resolve problems before they become service impacting.  Our fundamental network design and build strategy is aimed at avoiding blockages. It is important to note that Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom have multiple peering partners. While data transmission over our network is rarely subject to blocking, that is not necessarily true for the networks with which we interconnect. Consequently, customers may experience blockage due to the network serving the destination or origin of their traffic or because an intermediate carrier’s network is congested.  We take trouble reports and investigate every instance where customers report blockage or other service issues. 

No Blocking or Unreasonable Discrimination

Subject to our Acceptable Use Policy and Internet Access Policy, Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom do not block or impose rate-controls for specific protocols nor restrict interconnection of specific network devices. Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s policies addressing acceptable use, Internet access, end-user security, and privacy, can be found by contacting our offices and requesting our Acceptable Use Policy. Complaints and net neutrality concerns can be directed to Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s Customer Service Department by calling 218-826-6161 or 218-998-2000 or by emailing internet@parkregion.com  

Third Party Content or Edge Providers

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom recognizes their Internet customers may have interaction or commercial relationships with third party content, applications, service, and device or “edge providers.”  The following disclosures apply to Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s Internet access customers and to third party edge providers:

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom are not responsible for the contents, links or privacy of any third party linked website. Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom are not responsible for examining or evaluating, and Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom does not warrant the offerings of, any third party businesses or individuals or the content of their websites. Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom do not assume any responsibility or liability for the actions, products, and contents offered by third party content, applications, service, and device providers.

Mass Market Internet Access Services

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s Internet Access Services include the businesses and residents that purchase undifferentiated, standard, or un-negotiated, priced products and services from Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom.  With regard to broadband Internet access service these services include, DSL Internet Access, Fiber To The Home and Fixed Wireless Broadband Internet Access, and any bundling or packaging of these services.

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s mass market Internet access service is delivered over digital subscriber line (DSL) technology or Fiber To The Home.  DSL is a modem-based technology for broadband data access over ordinary copper telephone lines from homes and businesses.  There are many types of DSL, each with their own specifications.

Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s mass market Internet access service is delivered over asymmetric ADSL2+ (DSL Internet Access), bonded ADSL2+, or VDSL. ADSL2+ and VDSL are forms of DSL in which the bandwidth available for downstream connection is significantly larger than for upstream.  The data-rate of these technologies depends on the length and technical characteristics of the line (e.g., gage of wire, presence of bridge taps, and other such features that affect the line characteristics) connecting the end-user to Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom’s network serving office.

Pricing

Pricing of Internet services through Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom can be found under Internet on our website.