Electricity

Q: How will electric competition affect me?
Q: Do I have to choose a new electricity supplier?
Q: What are energy service companies (ESCOs)?
Q: Who will come if I have a problem with my electricity?
Q: Will different companies need to put up power lines in my neighborhood?
Q: Who will read and maintain the meters at my home or business?
A: Initially, your utility will continue to handle metering. However, as competition evolves, this may change. The utility or ESCO will be able to supply you with this information.
Q: Is there a chance I will lose power when I switch companies?
Q: How will I be billed for service?
Q: Can I switch companies more than once?
Q: Will I be protected from being switched from one power supplier to another without my knowledge or approval?
Q: Can an ESCO shut off my power?
Q: What if I have a complaint with my electricity supplier?
Q: What if I have a complaint with my local utility that delivers my electricity?

Natural Gas

Q: Do I have to choose a new gas supplier?
A: No. However, you may wish to compare prices and services offered by ESCOs. Your gas supplier will continue to provide your gas if you prefer not to change suppliers.
Q: Who do I call if I smell a gas odor?
Q: Is there a chance my gas supply will be interrupted when I switch companies?
Q: How will I be billed for service?
Q: Who will read and maintain the meters at my business?
Q: Can I switch companies more than once?
Q: Can an ESCO shut off my gas?
Q: What if I have a complaint with my gas supplier?
Q: What if my service gets switched without me asking?
A: Regulations are in place to prevent this from occurring. When an ESCO asks your gas supplier to make a switch in service, your gas supplier is required to notify you five days before they would make any switch, so that you have time to respond.

Telephone

Q: Can I choose more than one company for different telephone services?
Q: Do I have to pick a long distance company?
Q: How can I make long-distance calls?
A: To make long distance calls from most homes or businesses, you can use your chosen long distance company. You can also use a calling card (prepaid or from a company that bills you), one of the advertised "10-10" ("dial around") services, or a toll-free telephone number that connects you to a specific long-distance company.
Q: Will I still be able to find the phone numbers of people or businesses that have a different local phone company?
Q: Are there different sources for directory assistance?
Q: What company do I call for repairs if more than one company provides my telephone services?
Q: How will I be billed?
Q: Can I lose my basic local telephone service if I do not pay other charges, such as long distance charges?
A: No. You can only lose your local telephone service if you do not pay local telephone charges. Failure to pay other charges, such as custom calling charges or long distance charges, may result in the disconnection of those particular services.
Q: What is "slamming?"
Q: What is "cramming?"
A: Cramming is when a company places unauthorized charges for optional telephone and non-telephone related services, such as charges for psychic hotline subscriptions, personal 800 telephone numbers or chatline membership fees on your telephone bill without your consent. Some of these charges may appear on your telephone bill in unclear terms, such as "enhanced services" or "activation."
Q: What do I do if I've been slammed or crammed?
A: If you have been slammed, immediately report it to your authorized company (basic local service company or long distance company) so you can be reconnected. Warning: Do not ask to disconnect service from an unauthorized company until you have arranged to get service from your preferred company. If you have been crammed, contact your local telephone service company, which has procedures in place to resolve cramming complaints.
Q: What should I consider if I want to use a wireless phone instead of traditional telephone service?

Cable TV

Q: Is a landlord required to allow a cable television company access to a building for the purposes of installing equipment...
Q: Is compensation provided for allowing a cable television company to install cables, switches, and other equipment in a bu...
Q: What are my rights with respect to a cable company’s access to my property?
Q: What is an Order of Entry?
Q: What happens if cable television company personnel damage any property during an installation?