FAQ

How Can I Get Service Restored If It Has Been Disconnected For Nonpayment?
Once telephone service has been disconnected for nonpayment, RTC requires payment in full plus a reconnect charge before service can be reinstated. After payment is make, service will be restored after two (2) working day.

What Should I Do About Questions Or Mistakes On My bill?
Please call Ronan Telephone Company's Business Office. RTC service representatives can answer questions, investigate possible errors and provide information about bills.

When Does RTC bill?
RTC always mails their bills on t he last working day of the month, the bill is due upon receipt and delinquent after the 10th day of the month.

If I Sign Up In The Middle Of The Month, How Do I Get Billed?
All services (except toll) are bill in advance, and prorated on days of use. For example, if you install your service on 4-24-01, your first bill will be the June 1, 2001 bill. It will have local service billed for all of June, May and 6 days in April. Please also keep in mind that we "close the books" or "cut off" on around the 20th of the month.  If you payment is received after that date it will not post via the computer system. We do make every effort to had post payments make after the cut off.

Where Should I Send Payments?
Ronan Telephone Company
312 Main St. SW
Ronan, MT 5986

What Happens If I Can't Pay My Bill On Time?
If you are unable to pay your bill by the 10th of the month, call RTC business office at 676-2751. Payment arrangements may be made in case of illness or other circumstances beyond your control.. RTC does not apply and extra charge for bills paid after the due date, but late payments may result in your phone service being disconnected.

Can I use a credit card to pay my monthly statement?
We accept the following major credit cards: MasterCard, VISA, or Discover.

Do you offer an automatic payment option?
Yes, RTC offers an Automatic Payment Plan that provides you the free convenience of having your telephone bill paid directly on your credit card.
You will continue to receive your bill in the normal manner. However, your bill will include a credit card receipt.

Why are there so may taxes and surcharges on my bill?
RTC collects the required taxes as part of the total phone bill and sends the appropriate amounts back to the taxing agency. Federal, state and local governments assess a variety of taxes and surcharges. Some of the most common charges include:

• 911 or E911 charges - usually a dedicated tax that provides funds for the communications systems that support emergency and quick response police, fire and ambulance services with identification of phone number and location.
• Federal excise taxes - taxes assessed by the United Stated government on telephone services.
• Assistance Plans - often referred to as Universal Service Funds or Telephone Assistance Plans, these are dedicated monies used to provide telephone subsidies to low income or physically challenged individuals or families who could not otherwise afford the service.
• Municipal surcharges and fees - taxes and fees ordinarily assessed by local governments and often used to pay for special bonds or levies, often to support new 911 or other telephone services.

How do I establish new service?
to establish new service you must come down to the mail office and

Will I need to pay a deposit when I establish service?
Our deposits start at $100, however, if you have good credit history for over one year, we will waive that deposit.
If you pay the $100 you have a $50 toll line and we pay 12% interest on the money. A deposit may be held until the subscriber has paid his/her bill on time for 12 consecutive months.

What is the difference between a non-listed and a non-published listing?
There are two kinds of privacy listings:

• Non-listed number: Your listing is left out of the phone book but is still available through directory assistance
• Non-published number: Your listing is left out of the phone book and is unavailable through directory assistance

Where can I get additional directories?

• Charlo: Charlo Grocery
• Hot Springs: Hot Springs Telephone Company
• Pablo: Mission Valley Power
• Polson: Mission Valley Power
• Ronan: Ronan Telephone Company
• St. Ignatius : Mission Valley Power

How do I request a repair?
Call 676-2751 or 611

Who should I call if I need to dig in an area that contains buried phone cable?
Call 1-800-424-5555 or 811. Please call your Ronan Telephone Company at least 48 hours before you do any extensive digging or construction on your property or public lands. Homeowners and construction crews often unintentionally dig up land where telephone lines are located. This sometimes results in costly damage or destruction of the lines. If no request is made for a locate, Montana law allows the telephone company to charge you for the entire cost of the repair. So, to avoid needless disruption of telephone service, please call Ronan Telephone Company to locate telephone lines for you.