About CalPhone Info
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) created the Cal
Phone Info website to provide information to consumers about
telecommunications services. Its goal is to help people understand the
variety of phone services available, their rights to understand what is
being provided to them and under what conditions, and how they can
receive assistance with complaints about their service and bills.
This
website is the result of a CPUC decision, often referred to as the
Consumer Protections Initiative or CPI, which ordered consumer
protections, rights, and an education initiative related to
telecommunications services.
The decision also issued a new proceeding regarding in-language assistance to people who are limited English proficient.
The
decision from the in-language proceeding specified that if a
telecommunications company markets services in a language other than
English, it must also provide customer service verbally in the same
languages it markets services. It must also provide in those same
languages written documents regarding services, such as contracts, or a
link to a website where the customer can access the information in the
other languages.
As a result of both decisions, the CPUC
provides education materials in the languages most spoken in
California. Telecommunications-related materials in other languages are
posted on, or linked from, this website. Fact Sheets on consumer
programs are available on the Commission's website in a variety of different languages.
The CPUC has also implemented a program where consumers are
provided outreach, education and complaint resolution assistance in the
language of their choice through a statewide network of Community Based
Organizations. It is referred to as the TEAM (Telecommunications
Education and Assistance in Multiple-languages) program. The current
network provides assistance in 33 languages.
To learn more: