FAQ

Capital credit refund checks are mailed to the last known address on file for members. In order to ensure that you continue to receive your checks, please inform us of any change of name or address. To report a change of address, contact any customer service representative in our business office. After three years, capital credit refund checks that have not been cashed are sent to the State of Tennessee as unclaimed property.

Capital credit refund checks will expire in 90 days. Please cash your check promptly.

DTC does not report capital credit assignmens or payment of capital credits to the IRS. Depending on your tax filing status, your capital credit refund may or may not be taxable. Please contact your tax advisor for more information.

Only those members who had service within the years designated for refund.

The DTC board of directors determines when to pay capital credits based on the cooperative's performance and financial strength. The amount each member receives is based on what each one paid for service (during the year designated for the refund) and will vary in amount from member to member.

Capital credits accrue based on the amount members pay for service during a particular period of time. As a member, you retain permanent ownership of these capital credit reserves, which are periodically refunded.

DTC is a member-owned cooperative. Therefore, the money received from our members goes directly into reserves to operate the company, upgrade and expand services and implement new technologies. One of the benefits of your membership is earned capital credits, which are refunded periodically as our financial strength permits.

In recent months, “bundled” service packages have burst onto the market, becoming very popular as an affordable and convenient way for customers to meet all their telecom needs at one price and on one bill. Generally, service bundles fall into two broad categories: DOUBLE PLAY – voice (local and long distance) and data (high-speed Internet access); and, TRIPLE PLAY – voice, data, and video (Internet delivered video or IPTV]).
As a result of technology enhancements and service changes, community based telecom providers like DTC are packaging
services and making bundles available to their customers. Thus, rural customers now have options and choices comparable to those enjoyed by consumers in urban-based markets served by larger companies. Individual customers can choose the particular service bundle that best meets their needs and save in the process, since most are priced at rates discounted from the cost of the individual services.

Most of the problems that plagued DSL in its early days have been resolved. Nationwide, some customers report difficulties in transitioning to DSL, and with some of the larger companies, it can take a surprisingly long time to get DSL installed. But most community based telecom providers like DTC have not had similar installation problems or delays.
DSL service is now available across most of the U.S., but it’s still not offered everywhere. In addition, DSL technology still depends on network quality and is distance-sensitive. While the technology has improved significantly since DSL was first deployed, its availability is still tied to the status of the provider’s network equipment and the physical location of the customer; i.e., how close a customer is to the equipment that connects homes and business in that area to the provider’s central office.
Once service is installed, some customers notice the speed varies and is slower-than-expected on occasion. The fact is, no matter how much bandwidth is available, your connection will only be as "fast as the weakest link". If you are viewing a website in California and there is a piece of equipment having trouble somewhere in between, your speed will be affected. DTC provides all customers up to the requested amount of bandwidth within our network, but we remind you that actual transmission speeds vary.
True to our service tradition, we strive to offer DSL that’s as reliable and dependable as our voice service. We’re confident that, compared with standard dial-up access, our DSL connection will be an important value-added service for the homes and businesses in our service area.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology that provides high-bandwidth (high-speed) network connections to individual homes and businesses. DSL uses the same line as your regular telephone service, but it can provide the higher data speeds because it uses digital modems. Over the last few years, DSL has become widely available, even in rural areas. While early DSL applications were plagued by installation and/or service problems, advances in technology, increased deployment, and higher demand have eliminated most of the “growing pains” and led to improved service quality. As a consequence, DSL has become a reliable service to meet the needs of customers who demand high-speed Internet access.
DSL technology offers three major advantages over dial-up Internet access: much higher speeds, a constant “always-on” connection, and talk-and-surf capability.

1. Speed – DSL can deliver more than 100 times the network performance of a dial-up modem. While exact speeds vary, depending on the service plan or network capability, most DSL connections easily outperform standard modems by a factor of 20 or more. In essence, DSL works on the unused (high) frequencies of your phone line. DSL modems contain an internal signal splitter that directs voice signals to the voice (low) frequencies and data signals to the higher frequencies.
2. Access – a DSL connection is "on" all the time. DSL users do not have to dial their Internet service provider each time they want to "access” the Internet. You should be aware, however, that an always-on connection, such as DSL, does have security issues. It’s a good idea for DSL users to install personal firewall products on their home networks to guard against external attacks.
3. Talk and surf – with DSL, you don’t need a second line to keep your telephone line “open.” With the splitter sending the voice and data signals to “different parts” of the line, DSL users enjoy simultaneous access to both the telephone (voice) and the computer (data). Thus, DSL customers do not need a second line for their Internet access.

Yes! You will receive monthly discounts each month you subscribe to two or more DTC qualified service packages. Service packages are 1) DTC local phone and both Intra/Inter long distance service 2) DTC TV service 3) DTC Wireless service. The more you USE...the more you SAVE! It's that SIMPLE!

DTC Rewards is our way of saying THANKS for using DTC services. Each month you subscribe to two or more DTC qualified service packages, you automatically receive discounts on your bill. It's that SIMPLE.

Some long-distance companies charge a monthly fee to combine long-distance charges and local charges on the same bill. These companies include the charge in the billing information they submit to the local company with whom they contract to bill for them. A local company that bills for a long-distance company does not authorize a one-bill fee.

Long distance service provided by DTC Long Distance generally offer rates and plans comparable to those of national carriers. At the same time, DTC offers the advantage of a long-distance alternative closer to home – with service from people you know and trust, all on one bill.

The number of customers considering switching from wireline to wireless service is on the increase. As a community based telecom provider with deep ties here in our service area, we want our customers to know exactly what it means to “cut the cord” – to terminate your traditional phone service and switch to wireless as your sole connection. If you decide to switch your telephone service to a wireless carrier, we want you to have an idea of the differences you can expect between traditional wireline service and wireless:

• If you switch your wireline phone service to a wireless carrier, you will be disconnecting your wireline phone and terminating your traditional local service.
• You may no longer enjoy unlimited local calling; in many cases, you will need to be aware of the number of minutes included in your wireless plan; keep in mind that in many cases (especially if you calling someone using a different wireless carrier), both the calls you make and those you receive will count against your total minutes; and, you will be responsible to pay for any overages.
• When you switch your service to a wireless carrier, you may be required to purchase a new phone and sign an “extended” service agreement; most wireless plans require up to a 24-month service contract, and significant penalties may apply if you decide to terminate the agreement before its expiration.
• You will have to arrange with your wireless provider for a directory listing and directory assistance services.
• In an emergency, E-911 service can pinpoint your traditional home phone, be sure your wireless provider can pinpoint your exact location and not just the general area.
• You will no longer have access to other telecom services available with wireline service or that are connected or confirmed through a wireline phone, such as alarm monitoring.
• In most cases, you will no longer be able to access the Internet using a local, unlimited dial-up or high-speed connection; in some cases, you may be able to connect your wireless phone to your PC to access the Internet, but you are likely to need additional hardware and/or software to enable your wireless phone to communicate with your PC.
• You will be unable to reach someone at your home who does not have their cell phone on or with them.
• You will have to keep your wireless phone charged at all times; in the event of a power outage, and your phone is not charged or the battery wears down, you will have to wait until power is restored before you can charge your phone.
• Typically, a phone number can only be assigned to a single wireless phone. With a traditional wireline phone, you can have several phones (or extensions) in your house that connect to the same number.
• If your home is in an area that does not enjoy clear wireless reception, your calls might be patchy, unclear, or have a tendency to drop. Be aware of your surroundings and the type of reception you get at home with your wireless phone, as this is the service quality you’ll have for all your calls.

For the best of both worlds, keep your DTC wireline phone service and add DTC Wireless to meet your wireless needs. Ask about DTC Rewards that provide discounts when you use DTC and DTC Wireless qualified services.

In response to consumer concerns about unwelcome telemarketing calls, the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission established the national Do-Not-Call Registry. The registry applies to all telemarketers (with the exception of certain non-profit and political organizations) and covers both interstate and intrastate telemarketing calls. Commercial telemarketers are not allowed to call you if your number is listed on the registry.

You can register your phone number for free, and it will remain on the national Do-Not-Call Registry for five years. You may re-enter your number on the list when the five years have passed, and you may remove your name from the list at any time. The Do-Not-Call Registry will not prevent all unwanted calls. It does not cover:

• calls from organizations with which you have established a business relationship;
• calls for which you have given prior written consent;
• calls which are not commercial or do not include unsolicited advertisements;
• calls by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations.

Consumers may register their residential telephone number, and wireless numbers, on the national Do-Not-Call Registry at no cost by telephone or on the Internet. To register by telephone, you should call 1-888-382-1222. For TTY, call 1-866-290-4236. You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You may also register by Internet. The National Do Not Call List is www.donotcall.gov. Inclusion of your telephone number on the national Do-Not-Call Registry will be effective within 31 days of your registration.
The link for the Tennessee Do Not Call List is www2.state.tn.us/tra/nocall.htm.

Federal and state lawmakers believe that every person in America should have access to quality, affordable telecommunications service. In fact, they’ve used the universal service system to do just that. If you participate in social programs, such as food stamps, Medicaid, the national school free-lunch program, or supplemental security income, or if your household income is below a certain threshold level, you may qualify for a discount on your telephone bill.
This “universal service” system includes:

• Lifeline assistance – provides discounts for basic monthly local telephone service
• Link-Up – reduces the cost of initiating new telephone service
• Toll Limitation Service – allows you to control your long-distance charges
• Additional discounts are available for eligible consumers living on tribal lands.

Link-Up America is available to qualified residential customers only. If you qualify for Link-Up America, you will receive a 50% discount off the regular one-time installation charge to connect telephone service at your home. Lifeline assistance is available to qualified residential customers to assist with monthly local dial tone service.
Eligibility for these programs varies by federal and/or state guidelines. To find out whether you qualify for either Lifeline or Link-Up America assistance, you need to fill out standard forms available at our office, as well as at state and local government offices in the area. While we participate in these federal- and state-based support programs, we are not responsible for determining who qualifies and, therefore, who will receive assistance. Customers must meet specific, pre-determined regulations to obtain assistance with their local telephone service. Qualifying is wholly dependent upon these guidelines.
The Universal Service Administrative Co. lists full details and state-specific Lifeline contact information, at www.lifelinesupport.org. Or, you can call toll-free, 1-888-641-8722, if you have questions about the Lifeline, LinkUp, and TLS discounts. For more information about these programs or to apply for assistance, you can call our office at 615-529-2955.

Your bill identifies all charges that if not paid, could result in the disconnection of your basic local phone service; such services are listed as “deniable” charges. Our (STATE PUC) designates the charges we must classify as “deniable,” and we identify those charges on your bill. Non-payment of other, “non-deniable” charges can result in the termination of that specific service, but will not lead to disconnection of local phone service. If you don’t recognize the charges, you should call the toll-free number listed on your bill within 60 days to ensure there is no interruption of the service in question.

Both the SLC and FUSC fees collected from customers go to federal administrative agencies created by the FCC to oversee and manage the funds. The federal SLC fees are re-distributed to local telephone companies based on their specific costs. These funds enable community based telecom providers serving isolated, high-cost rural areas to recover some of the costs of the facilities used to connect your home or business. The FUSC fees allow local companies and cooperatives to recover our assessments for the federal universal service programs. A portion of the funds collected from the Federal Universal Service Charge is distributed to keep rates in high-cost rural areas at or near the national average.