Brightspeed® Business VoIP service – 911 acknowledgement

This Brightspeed® Business VOIP service provides access to dial 911 to reach the Emergency 911 center for the end user’s local area, similar to traditional local phone service. However, because Business VOIP is an internetbased phone service, 911 calls are treated differently. The subscriber agreement has more detailed information about 911 service, but here are four key differences about the service and a description of your obligation to notify all end users of these limitations. You must answer that you understand and accept these differences and confirm your obligation to notify end users.

(1) Business VOIP service and 911 dialing may not work during a power outage or when the Internet connection fails or the network becomes overloaded.

(2) Business VOIP service may use any U.S. internet connection, but your 911 dialing initially will be set up with the service address where the Business VOIP seat is installed. Do not move the service from that location without advising Brightspeed of the move before it happens and you have received a confirmation from us that your new location has been registered. This is necessary so emergency services reach the end user at his or her current location.

(3) Some US locations do not offer E911 service, and you may need to provide your location information to local emergency call center representatives.

(4) Until your current phone service is disconnected, all calls, including return calls from an Emergency 911 center, will not ring over your Business VOIP service. 

Finally, you will notify all end users of the limitations on access to 911 emergency service; and that access to 911 emergency service and the appropriate Emergency 911 center is only available at the location Brightspeed has on record for that end user’s seat. Brightspeed will provide labels that will indicate that 911 service has limited availability and functionality when used with the service, and Brightspeed recommends that the labels be placed on or near the equipment associated with the service. Additionally, when Customer end users use a Soft Phone with Business VoIP service, a 911 warning will appear on the Soft Phone device. The end user will need to click on the display to acknowledge the warning. Customer should direct its end users to review these 911 Emergency Service limitations.

By signing, you acknowledge that Brightspeed has advised your company of the 911 limitations with the Business VOIP service, you understand this information, you accept the Business VOIP service with these limitations, and you will notify all end users of these limitations.

BRIGHTSPEED BUSINESS VOIP SERVICE SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT

Brightspeed has the ability to raise rates and change the Service, Software, and Equipment, with notice to Subscribers, in certain instances. See Section 2(G) for applicable terms and conditions. 

You agree that this agreement governs our relationship for your subscription to Brightspeed Business VoIP Service (“Service”). If you do not agree with any of the terms and conditions contained in this agreement, please do not use the Service, notify us immediately so we can cancel your Service and arrange for the return of any Equipment and Software we may have already delivered to you. When you activate the Service, you will be agreeing to: (a) the terms of this agreement, (b) any requirements in additional written materials we provided to you when you ordered the Service, and (c) prices and charges we quoted to you.

In this agreement, we use the terms “we,” “us” or “our” to mean Brightspeed. When we say “you,” “your” or “Subscriber”, we mean the business entity subscribing to the Service. You certify and agree that the person entering into this agreement for you is authorized to act on behalf of the business and form agreements for the business. And while you are buying the Service, you may not be the only person using it. You are responsible for making sure the terms of this agreement are followed by others who use the Service.

Please read this agreement carefully. While all sections are important, please pay close attention to the section called “DISPUTE RESOLUTION.” That section requires that you and Brightspeed enter into arbitration if the two of us have a disagreement that we can’t settle together. If there is that kind of a dispute, you and Brightspeed will use arbitration to settle it, instead of a trial in front of a jury or judge. That section also limits your ability to form or join a class action lawsuit against us related to the Service. 

Description of the Service

The Service is a voice service; but it is different from the traditional type of telephone service. Those services typically were provided through traditional telephone lines into your business that brought telephone calls (and maybe dataservices) to your business through central offices or data switches. The Service is an Internet Protocol (IP) application that provides real time, two-way voice capability in IP over an Internet connection at required, minimum capacities. You may purchase the Service on a per seat basis. Service seats include the specific features identified in this agreement based on seat type. Additional charges apply for optional features, and, if applicable, for Equipment rental and maintenance. Subject to connectivity and Brightspeed’s limitations, you may order up to a maximum of 10,000 seats/telephone numbers (TNs) per location. You must provide the Internet connection or purchase it from us. We will provide you with Equipment needed for the Service to work at the physical location that you tell us we should deliver the Service (the “Subscriber Location”). Any phones, computers or mobile devices that you use with the Service must be on our pre-approved list. The Service allows both Off- Net Calls and On-Net Calls. “Off-Net Calls” means any calls that are not local calls, 8xx outbound calls, or On-Net Calls. “On-Net Calls” means calls between the Service and any of the following Brightspeed services: Brightspeed IQ SIP Trunk, Hosted VoIP, Managed Office, Managed Office Essentials, SIP Trunk (Sonus platform), Managed VoIP, Analog VoIP, Digital VoIP, or Integrated Access, and that are transmitted through the Service entirely over the Brightspeed IP network and not the public switched telephone network (“PSTN”) or another carrier’s IP network. 

1.    911 SERVICES. 

A. Internet Connection. Because the Service works through the Internet, calling 911 is different from what ou might be used to with your traditional local or wireless service. With the Service, 911 dialing cannot always be guaranteed and we explain some of those reasons below. If 911 dialing does not work, your safety and the safety of others who use the Service could be affected. For this reason, we recommend that you always have some alternative means of accessing 911 services from the Subscriber Location.

B. 911 SERVICES WILL NOT WORK IF:

(1) you have no electrical power for the Service or electrical power is lost or unavailable;

(2) your Internet connection fails or is disabled or becomes degraded (which would include situations where you fail to meet our required connection speeds);

(3) you attempt to use the Service from outside the contiguous United States (the Service is not available in Alaska and Hawaii);

(4) your Equipment malfunctions, including failure due to incorrect installations or connections or because it is affected by normal service life limitations; or

(5) your Service is disconnected for any reason.

C. Your Location Information Is Critical To Successful 911 Calling. FEDERAL LAW MAKES IT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SURE THAT BRIGHTSPEED ALWAYS HAS YOUR CURRENT PHYSICAL LOCATION INFORMATION (YOUR “SUBSCRIBER LOCATION INFORMATION”), AND YOU NEED TO GET CONFIRMATION FROM US WHEN YOU CHANGE THAT INFORMATION. YOU SHOULD TELL ANYONE YOU LET USE THE SERVICE OR EQUIPMENT THAT 911 DIALING IS LINKED TO THE SUBSCRIBER LOCATION BRIGHTSPEED HAS ON FILE. IF YOU MOVE YOUR EQUIPMEMENT AND DIAL 911 WITHOUT TELLING US OF YOUR MOVE, 911 CALLS COULD BE SENT TO THE WRONG EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDER.

D. Dialing 911 Following Your Initial Service Turn Up. 911 dialing will work immediately after you activate the Service. However, for a period of time (possibly up to the first 72 hours after Service is first made available to you), a 911-dialed call from your Subscriber Location may go to a Service Center, rather than directly to a 911 Emergency Service Provider. After we have successfully processed your Subscriber Location Information into our 911 databases, we will notify you of that fact at the email address you have provided us. After that, 911-dialed calls should generally automatically connect you to a 911 Emergency Service Provider. 

E. Your 911 Subscriber Location Information. With the Service, you will always have only one registered physical location for purposes of 911 dialing (your “911 Subscriber Location”). Your initial 911 Subscriber Location will be the physical address where your Service is installed; and we will include that address in our 911 records automatically at the time you order the Service. If you move your Equipment using the Service (such asyour in-business Equipment or mobile devices using the Service, such as smartphones, tablets or computers), you agree to let us know in writing before you make the move, even if the move is only temporary (for example, for a few hours). The easiest way to do this will be through the Brightspeed online portal used to coordinate your Service (the “Service Portal”).

F. Confirmation of 911 Subscriber Location If Service is Moved

(1) You agree that each user will not move the Service until you receive confirmation from us accepting the proposed address change. We will confirm – or may reject -- your request to change your Subscriber Location Information. You should check the Service Portal (or other communications method we tell you about) to receive our confirmation or rejection.

(2) 911 CALLING WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY IF YOU CHANGE YOUR 911 SUBSCRIBER LOCATION BEFORE YOU UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS INFORMATION AND RECEIVE OUR CONFIRMATION. IF YOU MOVE YOUR LOCATION BEFORE THAT, YOUR 911-DIALED CALL WILL GO TO THE EMERGENCY PROVIDER WHO TAKES CALLS FOR YOUR “OLD” SUBSCRIBER LOCATION. If this happens, you will have no emergency assistance in what might be a serious health or life emergency.

G. No Privacy Rights When Making 911 Calls. You agree that you have no privacy rights when we transmit information about you in connection with a 911-dialed call, including your phone number, name, or address, even if these are not published in directories.

H. General Information and Guidance on 911 Calling

(1) Labels. We will provide you labels that tell you that 911 calling with the Service may have limitations. We recommend you place these labels on or near your phone or any device using the Service so others are aware of these limitations as well.

(2) Information You Should Provide To 911 Emergency Service Providers. We recommend that when any user of the Service dials 911 he or she states his/his name, phone number, current location, and the nature of your emergency to 911 emergency service operators. This is helpful in case your call is dropped or disconnected, or because the phone number and location may not always be available to the person receiving the 911 call. 

2.  SERVICES 

A. Internet Connectivity. Service requires a high-speed Internet connection that meets the minimum speeds that we describe to you and special Software and Equipment that is compatible with the Service. We may require you to pay additional amounts each month (or on a one-time basis) for required Software and Equipment. Your Internet connection may be purchased separately from Brightspeed or an approved service provider.

B. Features.

(1) Service Premium Seats. Premium seats provide end users with advanced IP phone features and premium phone and soft client access, including the ability to make On-Net and Off-Net Calls, an end user portal, an administrator portal, call waiting, call forwarding, and other features, some dependent on your Equipment or the Software. The end user portal provides access to call logs,click-to-call and other features. The administrator portal enables your administrator functionality, including the ability to set up end users, implement some moves, adds, changes, and deletions, and implement calling restrictions. In addition, premium seats include an advanced feature package and Microsoft® Outlook® integration.

(2) Optional Features. Subscriber may purchase the following optional services for additional charges. Other optional features and services may be available on an individual case basis. The local and long distance calling service area for a seat is based on the area code and prefix assigned to the end user and does not depend on the end user’s Subscriber Location.

(a) Hunt Groups. An additional monthly recurring charge (“MRC”) and nonrecurring charge (“NRC”) apply for each hunt group. An additional MRC will also apply if Subscriber orders a voice mail box for a hunt group.

(b) Auto Attendant. An additional MRC and NRC apply for each auto attendant.

(c) Directory Listing. An additional MRC applies to each basic business white page listing of a telephone number.

(d) Directory Assistance. A flat per call charge applies to directory assistance.

(e) Desktop/Mobile Soft Phones. Desktop and mobile Soft Phones are Internet-based software that allow end users to utilize the calling features of the Service on a Subscriber Windows/PC, Apple/Mac, Android, oriOS device using available Internet access. Voice quality and the ability to utilize the Soft Phones may be impacted by the availability of the user’s Internet access, Internet capacity and associated limitations of Equipment. Subscriber end users must accept a license agreement when downloading Soft Phone software. 

C. Service Conditions. The following conditions apply to the Service.

(1) Voice Services. Brightspeed will provide voice services under the terms of this agreement and the information services schedule, located on the tariff, and which is subject to change (“ISS”). International calling is not included in the Service and will not be listed on any quote or order summary you receive from us, but you may add it separately to the Service. We will charge you an additional, per minute rate for each international call and, in some instances, additional charges also may apply. International rates and charges, which are subject to change, are listed in the ISS or incorporated by reference in the ISS.

(2) Telemarketing. With respect to any outbound telemarketing activities, per applicable regulations, telemarketers are required to transmit their telephone number to Caller ID services. As such, all telemarketers using Services are required to provide CPN/pseudo-CPN and a CGN provisioned with the service: IF A TELEMARKETER DOES NOT PROVIDE BRIGHTSPEED WITH A NUMBER FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE CALL WILL BE BLOCKED BY BRIGHTSPEED. Federal Do Not Calls rules require that companies that telemarket or engage in telephone solicitations adhere to the requirements set forth in 47 C.F.R. section 64.1200 (FCC) and 16 C.F.R. Part 310 (FTC).

(3) Non-Completed Calls. “Non-completed Call Percentage Threshold" means 30% of all attempted calls, both completed and non-completed. If the percentage of Subscriber’s calls that do not complete (out of all attempted calls) meets or exceeds the Non-completed Call Percentage Threshold for any given monthly billing cycle, Brightspeed may, upon 30 calendar days notice to Subscriber, disconnect any and all circuit(s) providing Service on which the Non-completed Call Percentage Threshold was exceeded.

(4) Unsupported Calls. The Services do not support collect or third party billing. The Services may not support 311, 511 and/or other x11 services (other than 911, 711 and 411 dialing) in all service areas. The Services do not support any outgoing calls from seats that are not associated with an IP device or Soft Phone, unless another telephony device from which the call can be originated via the end user portal is used.

(5) Area of use. The Service is intended to be used only at Subscriber Locations in the United States (not including U.S. territories). Additionally, Subscriber may not use IP enabled stationary devices that are assigned to, designated for, or configured for use at one location in any other location, unless Subscriber has requested a temporary change of its 911 Subscriber Location, and has received approval and confirmation from Brightspeed.

(6) Active Sessions. You agree not to use more than one IP address for each log-on session, and you agree that you will not permit more than five users to have active log-on sessions at one time. (A log-on session is an active connection to an Internet service provider.) You may share a single active session with others to connect multiple computers/devices to your modem or your router at your Subscriber Location. This includes establishing a wireless fidelity (“WiFi”) hotspot within that location. But the Service can only be used at a single, registered Subscriber Location at any particular time.

(7) Maintenance. You agree that we may restrict use of the Service or interrupt its operation for maintenance activities (including activities involving the Equipment, Software, network, or facility upgrades or modifications), or to be sure that we can provide acceptable levels of Service to all Brightspeed customers. 

D. Limits on Use

(1) No Excessive Use or Harmful Purposes. You also agree not to use the Service in a manner that produces high volumes or involves excessive or continuous use (such as the sending of SPAM messages or blast broadcasting or messaging), or in a way that has negative impacts on Brightspeed’s customers, our network, or hampers our ability to provide services to our other customers. You agree not to use the Service for malicious purposes, including uses that might involve viruses, worms, Trojans, or any other such purpose. You and your end users are the only parties authorized to access the Service. You are responsible for unauthorized use of the Service. 

(2) Call Recording. You agree that it is your responsibility to understand and obey all applicable laws and regulations (and to assure that all end users understand and obey such laws and regulations) when using the call recording service. You and your end users agree to use the call recording services only for lawful purposes, and shall not transmit any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, profane, hateful, racially, ethnically, or otherwise objectionable material of any kind, including but not limited to any material that encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law. You and your end users agree that Brightspeed has no liability to you whatsoever, whether for direct, indirect, or other damages, based upon or arising out of your and your end users’ use of the call recording service. Brightspeed reserves the right to immediately and without notice suspend or terminate your use of the call recording service and discard any of your content stored within the call recording service in the event we determines that you or your end users have violated any such law or regulation, or any term or condition of this agreement.

(3) Terminate Service or Additional Charges if Your Service Violates Limitations. If we decide that your Service is violating these limitations, you agree that we can terminate your Service immediately and without giving you any advance notice. You also agree that we may assess additional, applicable charges for each month in which you violated these limitations. 

E. Additional Information Regarding Service Provisioning

(1) Telecommunications Relay Service. Telephone Relay Service is accessible with the Service by dialing 711, or using the toll-free number listed in your telephone directory. TRS is a free service connecting customers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities with others. These connections can sometimes be done through standard telephone equipment but sometimes require specially-designed equipment.

(2) WiFi Services. The Service will work using wireless network devices and connections. Wireless networking devices use public (not secured) radio channels to transmit voice and data communications. For this reason, using such devices or networks is you and/or each end user’s decision (or those who you let use the Service) and you and/or each end user bears the risk of inadequate security. We do not guarantee the security, privacy, or confidentiality of any transmissions you or others might make in such circumstances.

(3) Porting of Phone Number. If you move your telephone number from Brightspeed to another service provider, your Service will no longer work. After your telephone number is moved to another provider, you will not be able to make outgoing calls or receive incoming calls over the phone you have connected to the Equipment.

(4) Service Upgrades/MACDs. Brightspeed reserves the right to modify Service Upgrades and MACD charges at any time without notice to Subscriber.

(a) Addition of Seats During Term. Subscriber may add additional Service seats to existing Service at a Subscriber Location at any time during the Term (an “Upgrade”). For Upgrades during the initial Term, the Service seat rates in the applicable price quote. If Subscriber adds more seats than can be accommodated by the Equipment using the Service, Subscriber will be responsible for renting or purchasing additional or replacement Equipment to accommodate the additional seats. The additional or replacement Equipment must be on the Brightspeed approved list. Subscriber agrees that each seat will have its own minimum Term commencing on the first day of Service for the seat. Applicable early termination fees will apply to such seats.

(b) MACDs. “MACD” means move, add, change, disconnect. Subscriber may also at any time request changes to its Service requiring configuration management, such as adding TNs (a “MACD”), for an additional charge. Charges for on-site configuration management will be quoted prior to dispatch of the technician to the Subscriber Location, and will be at Brightspeed’s then-current rates for on-site dispatch. 

F. Alternative Carrier Connectivity. This section applies if Subscriber purchases connectivity (Internet access local access) from a provider other than Brightspeed (“Alternate Carrier”) instead of purchasing such connectivity from Brightspeed (“Approved Connectivity”).

(1) Brightspeed Responsibilities. Subscriber agrees that Brightspeed will provide Service over connectivity from the Alternate Carrier under the following conditions:

(a) Brightspeed will only troubleshoot voice quality or connectivity issues at locations where Approved Connectivity is used. If Subscriber experiences Service performance issues at any location using an Alternate Carrier, Brightspeed’s sole obligation will be to provide basic firewall settings and IP phone or Software client configurations. Brightspeed will not troubleshoot voice quality or connectivity issues at locations using an Alternate Carrier and Brightspeed will not work with an Alternate Carrier on behalf ofSubscriber.

(b) Brightspeed does not guarantee the quality of Service or that Service will perform as described in this agreement at locations using an Alternate Carrier, including placing and receiving calls (including 911 calls), transmission of data, use of optional features, and use of IP phones, soft phones and/or portals.

(c) Subscriber is not required to use Equipment on Brightspeed’s approved list or Equipment that is covered by a Brightspeed maintenance plan for locations using an Alternate Carrier. However, if Subscriber uses such Equipment, Subscriber acknowledges that Brightspeed will not support any Equipment at such Subscriber Locations.

(d) Regardless of any contrary provisions in this agreement, Brightspeed shall have no liability whatsoever for Service issues at locations using an Alternate Carrier related to or caused by failure of: (i) the Alternate Carrier’s connectivity, (ii) Equipment provided by the Alternate Carrier, (iii) Subscriber-provided Equipment that is not on Brightspeed’s approved list, or (iv) Subscriber-provided Equipment that is on Brightspeed’s approved list that is not covered by a Brightspeed maintenance agreement. Subscriber is not entitled to any remedies for Service performance issues at locations using an Alternate Carrier. 

(2) Subscriber Responsibilities. Subscriber will be responsible for troubleshooting all issues for sites using an Alternate Carrier, including engaging the Alternate Carrier on outage and quality issues. If Subscriber experiences Service performance issues at a site using an Alternate Carrier, Subscriber will bring any Equipment to an Approved Connectivity location for testing. If the Equipment works properly at the Approved Connectivity location, Brightspeed will have no further obligation to perform testing or repair of the Service or Equipment, and will have fulfilled its obligation to Subscriber with regard to Service and Equipment performance. Subscriber will provide Brightspeed its Service location(s), address(es), Service details per location, including but not limited to type and number of seats, and any other information necessary for the provision of the Service as requested by Brightspeed. Subscriber will notify its end users that where Subscriber does not use Approved Connectivity to transport Brightspeed Service to or from a Subscriber Location, Subscriber may experience call quality issues and/or failure of calls to complete at that location, including calls to 911 emergency service providers. 

G.  Changes in Service, Software, Equipment, or this Agreement

(1) We Have the Right to Make Changes. We have the right to change the terms of this agreement, the Service, Software, and Equipment, and our prices or fees at any time (including the make-up of packages that include the Service). If we make such changes, you agree that we have no obligation to replace or supplement packages as a result. And you agree that you will not be entitled to any refund because of such change(s). The only options you will have if we make any material changes is to cancel the affected service or terminate this agreement. If you continue to use the Service (with the associated Software and Equipment) after we make changes, you agree we can consider that continued use your consent to the change(s).

(2) Notice of Material Changes. If the changes we make are material, we will give you written notice of the change and its effective date. We will not provide notice of changes to applicable taxes or surcharges, unless required by law or regulation. We will not provide notice to you regarding price decreases or the expiration of any Promotions that we may have undertaken while you subscribed to the Service.

(3) Methods of Notice. If we do give notice about these changes, we may use a number of options use to provide you notice of the changes. These notice methods include your billing statements, bill inserts, separate mailings to you, email notification, recorded announcements, online posting of changes to our terms and conditions. Changes will become effective on the date described in any notice.

H. Promotions. You may be eligible for certain discounts, features, promotions, and other benefits associated with your subscription to Service (“Promotions”). You must meet all requirements to get and keep the Promotions. We may change or end a Promotion at any time or in the manner described in the applicable Promotion materials. At the end of a Promotion or at any time when you no longer qualify for a Promotion, we will charge you the thencurrent, standard monthly rates, charges, and fees for the Service, Software, and Equipment. 

3.    SOFTWARE AND EQUIPMENT 

A. Proper Use. The Service requires you to use certain Software and Equipment, including phones that we have approved to be used. We might require you to purchase or rent Equipment from us or one of our authorized vendors before we make the Service available to you. You agree that you and others you allow to use the Service (and associated Software and Equipment) will use all of these items as described in the information we give you regarding its proper use, environment, and maintenance. You also agree not to mishandle, misuse, or improperly store or operate the Software or Equipment, including using it with other equipment that is not electrically or mechanically compatible with, or is inferior in quality to, it. You agree not to change the electronic serial number or equipment identifier of the Equipment, or to perform a factory reset of it, without our express permission. If you or others you allow to use the Service do not use the Software and Equipment properly, we have no obligation to help you return the Software or Equipment to a sound working order; and you may have to pay us for costs or damages we incur due to the failure. We may also terminate the Service, possibly assessing reasonable charges for the misuse as well as relevant termination charges.

B. Software

(1) Installation of Software. You will need to download and install special software for your Service (or associated value-added services) to work (“Software”). We either provide that Software or you will get it from one of our authorized, third-party vendors. You agree that Software is confidential and is the property of its owner, not you as the Service subscriber, and you may not disclose or reproduce it unless specifically authorized by Brightspeed or an authorized third-party vendor.

(2) License Agreements. When you acquire, download, and install Software, you agree to comply with the terms of all license agreements associated with the Software, including those of Brightspeed and any third parties. If you decline to accept and/or comply with such terms, you will not be able to use the applicable features of the Service using such Software.

(a) If the license agreement is with a third party vendor (not Brightspeed), Brightspeed has no obligations or responsibility with respect to that provided Software and all your rights and obligations will be determined by your agreement with that third party.

(b) If any Software required for the successful operation of your Service, and provided by us or our thirdparty vendors, is not accompanied by an end user license agreement, Brightspeed grants you a limited license to use the Software for your personal use (and for those you permit to use the Service in line with the terms and conditions in this agreement). This license is not given only to you, because we grant such licenses to other users of the Service. You agree that you will not transfer this license or export it outside the United States.

(c) Your license to use Software associated with your Service will be in effect until Brightspeed or its thirdparty vendors terminate the license or your Service ends, unless the license agreement provides a different termination date. If your Service is canceled or terminated for any reason, you agree to cease using all Software and, if we require it, return Software to us in the way we direct you. If this Software is not returned to us within 30 days following Service cancellation or termination, or if it is returned in a damaged condition, you agree that we may bill you additional charges.

(d) You agree not to modify Software whether provided by Brightspeed or its authorized thirdparty vendors in any way, and not to or change or delete any copyrights, trademarks, service marks or other proprietary rights or notices of Brightspeed or a third party which are used in connection with the provision of your Service. You agree that you will not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, or otherwise reduce Software to a readable form.

(e) If you decide to install software that is not provided by Brightspeed or its authorized third parties, you are responsible for how that software operates in connection with the Service, and any problems or interference that software causes. If we determine that your software interferes or impairs operation of the Service, we may suspend our provision of the Service until you take care of the problem or terminate the Service. During the time of any suspension, you agree you will still be responsible for paying for your Service.

(3) Updates and Changes to Software. Brightspeed or its authorized third-party vendors may alter, update, upgrade or change the Software and related settings associated with your Service at any time. You agree to cooperate with Brightspeed in performing such activities. A program will be downloaded to your Servicewhen it is installed that will perform automatic updates to certain Service-related Software on a regular basis. This program may collect certain information necessary to perform this function, but information collected as part of this process will be treated in accordance with the Brightspeed Privacy Policy.

C. Brightspeed-provided Equipment

(1) Equipment Purchased from Brightspeed

(a) Ownership. If you buy Equipment from us (rather than lease it), you will own it. We call this purchased Equipment. You agree to pay all applicable shipping, handling, or delivery charges associated with purchased Equipment. Purchased equipment may be charged as a one-time non-recurring charge, or may be charged as a monthly-recurring charge with its costs(s) distributed evenly throughout Customer’s term. Should Customer cancel Service, any and all outstanding charges for Customer’s purchased Equipment will be billed in full upon cancellation. From the time purchased Equipment is delivered to you, you bear all risk of loss, theft, casualty or damage for it.

(b) Manufacturing Defect. If we determine that purchased Equipment has a manufacturing defect, the applicable warranty, if any, will apply so long as the warranty is not expired or has been voided. If purchased Equipment fails as a result of a manufacturing defect after any applicable warranty period, you may request that Brightspeed deliver replacement purchased Equipment. If Brightspeed provides you replacement purchased Equipment outside any warranty period, Brightspeed will charge you the full retail cost for that Equipment. All replacement purchased Equipment may or may not be the same model and may be new or fully inspected and tested by Brightspeed.

(2) Equipment Leased from Brightspeed. Rather than you buying Equipment from us, we may provide Equipment to you for an additional monthly or yearly charge for your use during the time you subscribe to the Service. We call this leased Equipment. Leased Equipment may be new or it may be fully inspected and tested by Brightspeed and deemed suitable for use with the Service. If we consider it necessary, you agree that we may require you to replace existing leasing Equipment with new or reconditioned pieces. At all times, Brightspeed, not you, owns leased Equipment, even if you attach the leased Equipment to your property, and you agree that Brightspeed may make any necessary legal filings to show that we own it. If we need your help to make these filings, you agree to help us. You have no rights in the leased Equipment other than to use it as we direct you. Your payments for the leased Equipment only cover your use and are not applied toward buying that Equipment.

(a) Lost or Stolen Leased Equipment. If any leased Equipment is removed or stolen from your physical location, you must let us know within three (3) business days if you want to ensure that we do not charge you a payment if an unauthorized use of the Equipment occurs.

(b) Damaged Leased Equipment. You are responsible for damage to leased Equipment, other than reasonable wear and tear or damage that we may cause. If the leased Equipment becomes damaged in any way, you should let us know as soon as possible. We will attempt to repair it, but you still will be responsible for charges associated with such work.

(c) Leased Equipment Return. If your Service is canceled or terminated for any reason, you agree to return all leased Equipment to us in the manner we direct you. If you use a delivery return services, we will send you a box and a shipping label to the address associated with your Service subscription. You can call the designated delivery return service and arrange for them to pick up the box. You will be responsible for charges related to the pickup and delivery of the box to us. If leased Equipment is not returned to us within 30 days following Service cancellation or termination, or if it is returned in a damaged condition, you agree that we may bill you additional charges.

(d) Applicable Charges. Leased Equipment that is not returned to us, leased Equipment that is returned later than 30 days following Service cancellation or termination or such other date specified by Brightspeed, or leased Equipment returned to us in a damaged condition, will result in additional charges to you. We reserve the right to determine, in our sole discretion, whether leased Equipment is damaged and the applicable amount to assess you for such damages.

(e) Deposit Return. If you provided a deposit for the leased Equipment, and we have not already returned it to you, and you are terminating all or a combination of Brightspeed services (including the Service), we will return the deposit to you via invoice credit for the undamaged leased Equipment you actually returnto Brightspeed via the process specified above. If you provided a deposit for the leased Equipment, and we have not returned it to you, and you are terminating only the Service, you must request (in writing or verbally to an authorized Brightspeed representative) that we refund the deposit to you. If you make such request, we will return the deposit to you via invoice credit for the undamaged leased Equipment you actually return via the process described above. We reserve the right to determine, in our sole discretion, whether leased Equipment is damaged. We will not return deposits for damaged leased Equipment. 

(3) Brightspeed Installation, Maintenance, Repair, and Self-Installation.

(a) Installation. In its sole discretion, Brightspeed may install Software and Equipment at your physical location. Our standard installation includes connecting, configuring, and testing the Software and Equipment to make sure your Service works properly. Charges for such an installation may include a basic minimum charge, trip charges, delivery charges, and time and materials charges. And if we have an appointment set up with you and you don’t cancel in a timely way, we may charge for the appointment. For installation and all other work performed by Brightspeed described in this entire section, if you don’t own the Subscriber Location, you must have necessary approvals from the property owner or a landlord to permit Brightspeed to do all of its work. If you don’t have this permission, Brightspeed will not install or perform any work related to your Service.

(b) Maintenance and Repair. You agree to provide reasonable cooperation and access to us or our agents to install, maintain, repair, or support the Service, Software, or Equipment. Charges for maintenance and repair are separate from installation charges. Work on Software or Equipment such as reinstallation, replacement, change in location, return or any other maintenance or repair, will result in charge at the rates we have in effect at the time. And these charges may apply even if we find no trouble with these items and have no need to do any repair.

(c) Wiring and Work Area. You agree that we may use existing wiring at your Subscriber Location or may alter such wiring as necessary. You agree to make available separate electrical sources, circuits, and power with suitable outlets at your Subscriber Location to support your Service, and you are responsible to make sure all electrical connections are properly grounded. You agree to pay all costs for electricians, electrical work, or wiring work, if required.

(d) Self-Installation. You can choose to install the Equipment yourself. If so, we will provide installation directions, but you are responsible for all aspects of such work and any resulting damage to any leased Equipment. 

D. Subscriber-Provided Equipment. If you do not purchase or lease Equipment from Brightspeed, you may use Subscriber-owned Equipment with the Service. Unless stated otherwise, all Subscriber-owned Equipment used with Service must: (1) be on Brightspeed’s approved list; (2) be covered by a Brightspeed maintenance plan during the entire Term; (3) include an operating system that complies with Brightspeed’s minimum requirements; and (4) be re-imaged or programmed by Brightspeed to work with the Service. Notwithstanding subpart (4), Brightspeed will not re-image, program or adjust settings on Subscriber-owned local area network switches unless Subscriber purchases separate network management service from Brightspeed. A copy of Brightspeed’s current approved Equipment list and list of current minimum operating system requirements are available upon request. Unless Subscriber purchases Equipment maintenance from Brightspeed, Brightspeed will not maintain the Subscriber-owned Equipment. Brightspeed will also not install or maintain operating system software on Subscriber-owned Equipment. Except where Subscriber has purchased Equipment maintenance from Brightspeed on Subscriber-owned Equipment, Subscriber will not be entitled to any remedies due to a failure or malfunction of that Equipment. You agree that you are responsible and liable for any damage caused to Software, Equipment, or Service due to any software or equipment that you use in connection with the Service that is not covered by a Brightspeed maintenance service. In such instances, Brightspeed and its affiliates and authorized agents or third-party vendors have no responsibility or liability if you cannot use the Service, or if any of your software, equipment, or other functionality is damaged or does not work properly. Your use or combination of any equipment or software you provide may void any warranties on Equipment, and may adversely affect the Service.

4. CHARGES; BILLING AND PAYMENT

A. Credit Check; Deposits; Credit Limits. You must have sufficient credit for us to provide you the Service without having to pay a deposit. We may not assess your credit before providing Service to you, but we reserve the right to do so. To make a credit assessment, we will review our credit history with you if we haveone; and we may consult with a credit reporting agency. Based on our review, we may ask for a deposit, set up a credit limit or advance payment structure, or require other security before we begin providing you the Service. If you pay a deposit in connection with your Service and the state in which the Service is provided does not require us to pay interest on that deposit, we will not pay you any such interest. And if during our Service relationship we question your willingness to pay your bills in a timely way, we might require additional measures to ensure we are paid (like requiring prior payments or additional security). If you refuse to follow these required measures, we may terminate your Service and assess any application termination charges.

B. Billing. You agree to pay the fees applicable to your Service, including any monthly usage charges, any additional per-usage charges, Equipment charges, Software charges, shipping and handling fees, applicable taxes, surcharges, recovery fees, telephone charges, activation fees, installation fees, set-up fees, early termination charges, and all MRCs and NRCs. The taxes, fees and other charges detailed in this section may vary on a monthly basis. Surcharges and recovery fees, are not taxes and are not required by law, but are set by Company and may change. Surcharges and recovery fees are not taxes and are not required by law, but are set by Company and may change. Taxes and government surcharges will be in the amounts that federal, state, and local authorities require or permit us to bill you. You agree to pay all taxes, surcharges, assessments, and other fees that are related to the Services and included on your bill, unless you are exempt from these payments and can provide documentary evidence of such exemption to us. In the event of conflict among prices and charges, the most-current prices and charges govern. You also agree to pay any additional charges or fees applied to your account, including interest and charges due to insufficient credit or insufficient funds. NRCs such as set up, activation and installation fees, and Equipment charges, will be included in your first bill. MRCs will be billed one month in advance; any usage charges will be billed in arrears. Your first bill covers both the partial month of Service from the date your Service is activated up to the first day of your first full month of Service, and your first full month of Service. Depending on your location, Promotions may not apply during the partial month of Service. However, you still will receive all applicable Service discounts and promotions for the entire promotional period. Upon the expiration or termination of Services for any reason prior to the end of a billing cycle, we will charge you the full MRCs for Services during the billing cycle (along with all applicable NRCs, taxes, surcharges, and fees) and will not pro-rate these charges. If your monthly charges net to $0, you may not be mailed a paper invoice. Invoice information will remain available in your account information or by contacting us, and an additional fee may be charged for invoice reprints. 

C. Charges. In addition to MRCs and NRCs, you agree to pay any other additional charges that are associated with our providing the Service. These could include activation and installation charges (including charges related to unique installation requirements at your Subscriber Location), purchased Equipment charges, leased Equipment charges, repair charges, maintenance charges, shipping and handling fees, replacements charges, connection charges, usage charges, monthly fees, monthly minimums, any other fees, surcharges, assessments, taxes, and federal, state, and local government or quasi-government imposed or permitted charges. Taxes and government fees will be in the amounts that federal, state, and local authorities require or permit us to bill you. Surcharges and recovery fees are not taxes and are not required by law, but are set by Brightspeed and may change. Please see our support center for more information about taxes, fees, surcharges, and recovery fees. You are responsible for all charges, including any third-party charges, incurred for all types of calls, authorized or unauthorized, placed by or through the Services, Software, or Equipment, even when such calls are placed fraudulently. You are responsible for these charges in all instances, including if you purchased or leased such Equipment by or through Brightspeed or purchased Brightspeed-provided maintenance for the Equipment. If you are required by law to make a deduction or withholding from any amount due to us, you must notify us in writing. We will then increase the gross amount of your invoice so that, after your deduction or withholding for taxes, the net amount paid to us will not beless than the amount we would have received without the required deduction or withholding.

D. Payment. You must pay all applicable charges, including all taxes, fees, and surcharges, in U.S. currency within 30 days of the invoice date. Any additional charges will be applied to the entire unpaid balance. If we don’t receive your payment before the next billing cycle, you agree to pay any costs and expenses associated with our collections efforts, including attorneys’ fees and charges and fees assessed by a collection agency or during a legal action. We may charge you an insufficient funds or returned check fee, up to the maximum rate allowed by law, if your check, bank draft, electronic funds transfer, or other order for payment is dishonored or returned for insufficient funds or any other reason. Our acceptance of late or partial payments (even those marked, “PAID IN FULL” or using similar language) and late payment charges will not mean that we waive our rights to collect the full amounts due.

E. Nonpayment. Upon the cancellation or termination of Service or leased Equipment for any reason prior to the end of a billing cycle, we will charge you the pro-rated charges accrued during the billing cycle, along with all applicable NRCs, taxes, surcharges, and other fees.

F. Disputed Charges. If you have a dispute over charges for Services, you must let us know within 30 days of making any payment. To dispute a charge on your bill, you must follow the dispute procedures in this agreement. After the 30-day period has ended, we will assume you agree with any charge not disputed. However, you may dispute charges resulting from your failure to return leased Equipment after the 30-day period described in this section, but such dispute may only specifically relate to the charges assessed for the return of the leased Equipment. Brightspeed and you waive all rights of subrogation against each other in connection with the Service and Equipment. 

5. TERM AND TERMINATION.

A. Service Provided on a Month-to-Month Basis or for a Term Commitment Period. Unless otherwise specified, Service is offered for a term that begins on the date your Service order is completed, ends on the last of the billing cycle during which you placed the order for Service, and automatically renews each month until either party terminates Service. If you order Service for a term commitment period, you agree to keep Service for that entire term commitment period. For purposes of this agreement, both the month-to-month term period and the term commitment period are referred to as the “Term.”

B. Right to Terminate Service With Notice. Either of us can stop the Term by giving written notice to the other. (There is more information on how to do this in the “Notice” section of this agreement). If you decide you want to cancel your Service, we expect you to return any leased Equipment as described in the “Software and Equipment” section of this agreement.

C. Right to Terminate Service Without Notice. Brightspeed always has the right to terminate your Service without notice if you fail to pay your bill when it is due or if you do not live up to your obligations under this agreement.

D. Payment Responsibilities after Termination of Service; Early Termination Charge. Even after the Term ends, you agree that you will continue to be responsible to pay Brightspeed for any outstanding balance you owe for your Service and Equipment, including any applicable taxes, franchise fees, other fees, and surcharges. And if you terminate Service prior to the end of a billing cycle, we will charge you a portion of the MRCs for the Service during that cycle, along with any applicable NRCs, taxes, surcharges, and other fee. If you terminate your Service before the end of the applicable term commitment period, you will be required to pay the early termination charge of 100% of the MRC multiplied by the remaining months of the applicable term commitment period. The early termination charge is not a penalty, but rather an offset or recovery of our costs related to your early termination and the discounts associated with your term commitment. After the end of a term commitment period, Service will continue on a month-to-month basis until terminated by you or by Brightspeed.

E. Uncontrollable Events. If an event occurs that is not within Brightspeed’s control, you understand and agree that we cannot be held responsible for any delay, interruption, or other failure to perform under this agreement. Some examples of such events are: natural disasters (e.g. lightning, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods); wars, riots, terrorist activities, and civil commotions; inability to obtain parts or equipment from third party suppliers; cable cuts by third parties, acts of third parties; explosions and fires; embargoes, strikes, and labor disputes; and governmental actions or orders. 

6. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; LIMITIONS OF LIABILLITY

A. Disclaimer of Warranties.

(1) General. Except for any warranty provided to you by an Equipment manufacturer (which is no Brightspeed), Brightspeed provides the Service, Software, and Equipment “as is” with all faults, and you understand and agree that we are providing these items to you without any warranties of any kind,including no implied warranties of non-infringement, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or compatibility of computer systems, and any such warranties are expressly disclaimed. No advice or information that Brightspeed provides you will create a warranty. Such advice or information is offered solely to help you with any problems you may be having.

(2) Provision and Operation. Even though we may take your order for Service, that does not mean we will absolutely be able to provide the Service to you. After your order is taken, we will be assessing our ability to implement the Service at your Subscriber Location. It may be that we are unable to provide the Service to you. If we ultimately decide we can provide the Service, we may need to change the original installation date. Brightspeed does not warrant or guarantee uninterrupted, error-free, or secure Service, Equipment, or Software. Brightspeed disclaims all liability or responsibility if the Service changes, Equipment requires changes, Equipment or Service performance changes or reduces, or Equipment or Software becomes obsolete. We do not represent or warrant that the technicians doing such work have any special expertise regarding your computer hardware or software. 

B. Direct Damages.

(1) Limitations. Brightspeed is not liable for any damages directly arising out of or in connection with any: (1) act or omission by you, or another person or entity using the Service; (2) provision or failure to provide Service, including deficiencies or problems with any Equipment used in connection with the Service or our networks ; (3) content or information accessed while using the Service or Equipment; (4) death or personal injury of any person or damage to personal or real property, or (5) interruption or failure in accessing or attempting to access the Service or information through your use of the Service, including any failures caused by Equipment. If, for any reason, this limitation is held to be unenforceable, you agree that any damages we might have to pay will not exceed the portion of the MRCs (excluding all NRCs, fees, surcharges, and taxes) you have paid us for the Service during the affected period.

(2) Exclusions. You agree that we are not responsible for any damages that may occur if your relationship with your Internet service provider causes interference or interruption with the Service. If such actions cause your Service not to work correctly, you will still be billed by us for the Service and we will not issue credits for such incidents. The Service may not be compatible with communications equipment or services at your physical location that are not associated with the Service, including security services, fax machines, satellite systems, monitored medical device alert, alarm, or assistance systems, and we are not responsible in any way for such incompatibility or any problems or losses of any type related to that equipment or services.

C. No Consequential or Other Damages. Under no circumstances is Brightspeed liable for any incidental, consequential, indirect, punitive or special damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Service, Software, or Equipment, whether in contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise, including, without limitation, lost profits or revenue, loss of opportunity, or cost of replacement services. 

D. Indemnification. You will indemnify and defend Brightspeed, its directors, officers, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, and their successors and assigns from and against all third-party claims, damages, fines, costs, losses, or liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and punitive damages, arising from or relating to: (1) any violation of applicable laws, regulations, or any provision of this agreement, (2) installation of, connection to, modification of, repair to, provisioning of, or use of Service, Software, or Equipment, (3) death of any person, (4) damage to personal or real property, (5) any incorrect or misleading information, or claims for libel, slander, invasion of privacy, identity theft, or intellectual property infringement with respect to the Service, Software, or Equipment, (6) your, your end user’s and your third party provider’s acts, omissions (including the failure to purchase or implement, features that enable the receipt and transmission of directdial “911” calls or multi-line telephone system notifications), or failures of connectivity that impede, prevent or otherwise make inoperable the ability of you or your end users to directly dial “911” or to receive or transmit multi-line telephone system notifications, as required by law, in the United States, or (7) the absence, failure, malfunction, or outage of Service, Software, or Equipment, that is alleged to have resulted, in whole or in part, from your negligent acts or omissions, the negligent acts or omissions of your contractors, subcontractors, directors, officers, employees, or authorized agents, or the negligent acts or omissions of any person who uses the Service, Software, or Equipment with or without your permission. 

E. Infringements. The Service, Software, and Equipment, and related documents and materials are protected by trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property laws. All Brightspeed websites, corporate names, services marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, and domain names are the exclusive property of Brightspeed, and nothing in this agreement grants you the right or license to use any such item. You agree that you, and those you permit to use the Service, Software, and Equipment, will not violate those rights whether they are held by Brightspeed or third parties. You understand that any violation of these rights may subject you to both civil and criminal liability, including liability for damages, fees, attorney’s fees, as well as possible fines and imprisonment.

F. Extension of Limitations. All limitations in this section also apply to Brightspeed’s third-party licensors, content providers, and suppliers, as third party beneficiaries of this agreement. There are no other third party beneficiaries of this agreement.

G. Coverage and Survival. Unless applicable law expressly provides otherwise, the remedies described here are the only ones we offer you and state the entire liability and obligations of the parties. All provisions of this section will survive and continue to apply after this agreement is canceled or terminated. 

7.   DISPUTE RESOLUTION

A. Dispute Process. Most Subscriber concerns can be resolved quickly and to Subscriber’s satisfaction by contacting our customer service department or through our website. If our customer service department is unable to resolve a complaint you may have to your satisfaction or if Brightspeed has not been able to resolve a dispute it has with you after attempting to do so informally, then we each agree to resolve those disputes through binding arbitration or small claims court, instead of in courts of general jurisdiction.

B. Mandatory Arbitration of Disputes. You and Brightspeed agree to arbitrate any and all claims, controversies or disputes of any kind (“Claims”) against each other, including but not limited to Claims arising out of or relating to this agreement, or any Brightspeed services, software, billings, advertisings, or equipment. This agreement to arbitrate is intended to be broadly interpreted and applies to, among others: all Claims regardless of whether they are based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory; all Claims that arose prior to your receipt of Service from Brightspeed (such as from advertisings) or prior to this agreement; all Claims that arise after the termination of the Service to you or after the termination of this agreement; all Claims you may bring against Brightspeed's employees, agents, affiliates or other representatives; and all Claims that Brightspeed may bring against you. The sole exception to this arbitration agreement is that either you or Brightspeed may, in the alternative, bring Claims in a small claims court having valid jurisdiction. You and Brightspeed agree, however, that neither Brightspeed nor you will join any Claim with a claim or claims of any other person(s) or entity(ies), whether in a lawsuit, arbitration, or any other proceeding. You and Brightspeed agree that no Claims will be asserted in any representative capacity on behalf of anyone else, that no Claims will be resolved on a class-wide or collective basis, that no arbitrator or arbitration forum will have jurisdiction to adjudicate or determine any Claims on a class-wide or collective basis, and that no rules for class-wide or collective arbitration will apply.

(1) Arbitration Procedure. A party who intends to seek arbitration must first send to the other, by certified mail, a written Notice of Dispute (“Notice” or “Notice of Dispute”). The Notice to Brightspeed should be addressed to:   P.O. Box 1330, Fayetteville, NC 28301-1330, Attn: Vice President, Commercial Law (“Notice Address”). The Notice must: (1) describe the nature and basis of the Claim; and (2) set forth the specific relief sought (“Demand”). If Brightspeed and you do not reach an agreement to resolve the Claim within thirty (30) days after the Notice is received, you or Brightspeed may commence an arbitration proceeding. A single arbitrator engaged in the practice of law will conduct the arbitration. The arbitration will be filed with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), the arbitrator will be selected according to the AAA’s procedures and the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16 (“FAA”), and Claims will be resolved pursuant to this Mandatory Arbitration of Disputes provision and the AAA’s rules in effect when the Claim is filed. Claims also may be referred to another arbitration organization if you and Brightspeed agree in writing or to an arbitrator appointed pursuant to section 5 of the FAA. The arbitration will be confidential, but you may notify any government authority of your Claim. At your election, arbitration hearings will take place in the federal judicial district of your Subscriber Location. 

(2) Arbitrator’s Authority. The arbitrator is bound by the terms of this agreement, and the arbitrator’s authority is limited to Claims between you and Brightspeed alone. The arbitrator has no authority to join or consolidate Claims, or adjudicate joined or consolidated Claims, unless you and Brightspeed agree in writing. All issues are for the arbitrator to decide, except that issues relating to the scope and enforceability of the Mandatory Arbitration of Disputes provision are for the court to decide. The arbitrator's decision and award is final and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. The arbitrator can award the same damages and relief that a court can award, including the award of declaratory or injunctive relief; provided, however, that any declaratory or injunctive relief may only be in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party’s individual Claim.

(3) Costs of Arbitration. You will be responsible for paying your share of any arbitration fees (including filing, administrative, hearing or other fees), but only up to the amount of the filing fees you would have incurred if you had brought the Claim in court. We will be responsible for any additional arbitration fees. You are responsible for all additional costs that you incur in the arbitration, including, but not limited to, fees for attorneys or expert witnesses. If the arbitration proceeding is decided in Brightspeed’s favor, you shall reimburse Brightspeed for the fees and costs advanced to you only up to the extent awardable in a judicial proceeding. If the arbitration proceeding is determined in your favor, you will not be required to reimburse Brightspeed for any fees and costs advanced by Brightspeed. If a party elects to appeal an award, the prevailing party in the appeal shall be entitled to recover all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in that appeal. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Mandatory Arbitration of Disputes provision, Brightspeed will pay all fees and costs that it is required by law to pay.

(4) Changes. Notwithstanding any provision in this agreement to the contrary, you agree that if Brightspeed makes any future change to this Dispute Resolution provision (other than a change to the Notice Address listed above) during the period of time that you are receiving the Service, you may reject any such change by sending Brightspeed written notice within 30 days of receiving notice of the change. Your rejection notice must be sent to the Arbitration Notice Address provided above. By rejecting any future change, you are agreeing that you will arbitrate any dispute between us in accordance with the language of this provision. No changes, however, that are made to this provision after either party has submitted a Notice of Dispute shall be effective as to your and Brightspeed’s pending dispute and/or arbitration.

(5) Governing Law, Enforcement, and Waivers. The Federal Arbitration Act, and not state law, applies to this Dispute Resolution provision and its provisions and, governs all questions of whether a Claim is subject to arbitration. If any portion of this Dispute Resolution provision is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the provision remains in full force and effect. If for any reason, the above provisions on arbitration are held unenforceable or are found not to apply to a Claim, you and Brightspeed waive the right to a jury trial on your respective Claims, and waive any right to pursue any Claims on a class or consolidated basis or in a representative capacity. If any party files a judicial or administrative action asserting a Claim that is subject to arbitration and another party successfully stays such action or compels arbitration, the party filing that action must pay the other party's costs and expenses incurred in seeking such stay or compelling arbitration, including attorneys' fees. 

8. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

A. Local Government Subscribers. Unless specified otherwise, purchases of Service, Software, and Equipment by local governmental entities also are subject to the Local Government Customer Annex posted to www.brightspeed.com/ratesandconditions.

B. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). You will not pay for Service, Software, or Equipment with funds obtained through the ARRA or other similar stimulus grants or loans that would obligate us to provide certain information or perform certain functions unless each of those functions and obligations is explicitly identified and agreed to by the parties in the agreement or in an amendment to the agreement.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY

A. Nondisclosure Requirements. If the parties have not executed a mutual nondisclosure agreement, this provision will govern their exchange of information. Each party will not disclose any Confidential Information (defined below) received from the other party, or otherwise discovered by the receiving party, to any third party, except as expressly permitted in the agreement. This obligation will continue until two years after the agreement expires or terminates. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, pricing and terms of the agreement, and information relating to the disclosing party's technology, business affairs, trade secrets, development and research information, and marketing or sales plans (collectively the "Confidential Information"). The receiving party may disclose Confidential Information to its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents and consultants with a need to know, if they are not competitors of the disclosing party and are subject to a confidentiality agreement at least as protective of the disclosing party’s rights as this provision. The parties will use Confidential Information only for the purpose of performing under the agreement or for the provision of other Brightspeed services. The foregoing restrictions on use and disclosure of Confidential Information do not apply to information that: (1) is in the possession of the receiving party at the time of its disclosure and is not otherwise subject to obligations of confidentiality; (2) is or becomes publicly known, through no wrongful act or omission of the receiving party; (3) is received without restriction from a third party free to disclose it without obligation to the disclosing party; (4) is developed independently by the receiving party without reference to the Confidential Information, or (5) is required to be disclosed by law, regulation, or court or governmental order. The parties acknowledge that the receiving party’s unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Information may result in irreparable harm. If there is a breach or threatened breach of the agreement, the disclosing party may seek a temporary restraining order and injunction to protect its Confidential Information. This provision does not limit any other remedies available to either party. The party who breached or threatened to breach its nondisclosure obligation under the agreement will not raise the defense of an adequate remedy at law. Brightspeed will not be deemed to have accessed, received, or be in the possession of your Confidential Information solely by virtue of the fact that you transmit, receive, access or store such information through your use of Services.

B. HIPAA. By providing Services, we do not require or intend to access Subscriber data, including any confidential health related information of Subscriber’s clients, which may include group health plans, that constitutes Protected Health Information (“PHI”), as defined in 45 C.F. R. §164.501 under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA Rules”). To the extent that any exposure to PHI is incidental to our provision of Services and not meant for the purpose of managing the PHI or creating or manipulating the PHI, such exposure is allowable under 45 CFR 164.502(a)(1)(iii). 

10. GENERAL

A. Notices.

(1) Notices to You. We will provide notices to you under this agreement in a variety of ways. Notices may be posted to www.brightspeed.com or other Brightspeed website we direct you to. If we send you a notice, the notice will be considered given to you when we hand deliver it to you; send it to you at an email address that you have provided to us when you signed up for Service or at a later time; or put it in the U.S. Mail or with overnight courier mailed to you at your billing address. We also may provide some notices or information to you in your bill itself, in the sectionfor messages, and such messages are considered given to you as of the date of the bill.

(2) Notices to Us. If you want to provide notice to us either because this agreement requires it or because you have a matter you want to bring to our attention, you should notify us at the customer service telephone number on your bill or write us  P.O. Box 1330, Fayetteville, NC 28301-1330; Attn.: Legal Department.

B. Applicable Policies; Acceptable Use and Privacy. You agree to comply with applicable Brightspeed policies, including the Brightspeed Acceptable Use Policy and Brightspeed Privacy Policy, as posted to https://www.brightspeed.com/aboutus/legal/ and incorporated by this reference, when you use the Service. If you do not agree with the terms of any of these policies, do not purchase or use the Service. You acknowledge and understand that Brightspeed is not liable for any lack of privacy which may be experienced with regard to the Service. Brightspeed may, but is not obligated to, monitor the Service for various purposes, and Brightspeed and its third-party vendors may access and use information regarding performance of Equipment, Software, and Service to: (1) perform related registration (Equipment serial number, activation date, and information provided to manufacturer), maintenance, support, and other service-quality activities, and (2) verify network performance.

C. Location-Based Advertising. You may receive advertisements based on the geographic area associated with your IP address. We do not share your address or any personally identifiable information with advertisers and you will not see additional advertisements as a result of this program, but you may receive advertisements that are more relevant to your geographic area. 

D. Unlawful, Abusive, or Fraudulent Purposes. You agree to not use the Service, Software, and Equipment will not be used for any unlawful, abusive, or fraudulent purpose, including using these items in a way that violates any laws or another’s rights, including rights to use the Service, Software, or Equipment. You agree to not harass, abuse, threaten, or defame Brightspeed, or any employees or contractors of Brightspeed.

E. Account Security. Brightspeed has implemented reasonable security measures to protect Subscribers shared or processed data. However, those measures do not include disaster recovery or data backup services. Subscribers are solely responsible for storing and backing up sensitive information processed or communicated via the service, including information stored in voicemail. Security measures do not extend to transmission services not owned or controlled by Brightspeed used in connection with services, including SMS text facsimile, and email. If Subscribers elect to use a non-Brightspeed transmission system to transmit or receive data stored on Brightspeed systems (in any format, e.g., .WAV files or speech-to-text), Brightspeed makes no representations regarding the security or compliance of those transmission systems. Brightspeed is not responsible for the security of those transmissions. Brightspeed will not assume nor bear any responsibility for determining whether a non-Brightspeed transmission system is appropriate for transmitting Subscriber data, or if other security measures are necessary. You agree to immediately notify Brightspeed if you suspect any breach of security such as loss, theft, public use (unrestricted, open, communal or shared use by third parties unrelated and/or not affiliated with you whether you suspect the use to be for profit or not) or unauthorized disclosure or use of your Brightspeed account, password, user ID, or any credit or charge card number provided to Brightspeed. These kinds of notifications should be done by calling the customer service number listed on your bill. You and your end users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords used by you and your end users and will ensure that all use of the Service complies with this agreement. You also agree to periodically change your passwords. You authorize Brightspeed to provide information about and to make changes to your Brightspeed account, including adding new services, upon the direction of any person able to provide information we deem sufficient to identify you. There is a risk that other users may attempt to access your Service, such as through the Internet. You acknowledge this risk as inherent to the shared nature of the Service and you agree to take full responsibility for taking adequate security precautions and safeguarding your data.

F. No Resale, Distribution, Transfer, or Assignment. You will not to resell, distribute, transfer, or assign this agreement, Service, Equipment, or Software via any means; provided that you may establish a WiFi hotspot as described above for your employees and approved guests, but you may not resell the Service provided over that WiFi hotspot. You agree that you are neither a reseller of any services, as such term is defined in any applicable acts nor entitled to any reseller discounts under any laws or regulations. Brightspeed may assign this agreement and your rights and obligations under this agreement, in whole or in part, at any time without notice to you and you agree to make all subsequent payments as directed. If we do that, we have no further obligations to you.

G. Applicable Law. The law that will be considered relevant in deciding what this agreement means and how it should be enforced will be federal laws or regulations, as well as those of the state and local area where we provide the Service to you. If any provision in this agreement is declared to be illegal or in conflict with any law or regulation, that provision will be deleted or modified, as applicable, without affecting the validity of the other provisions.

H. Use of Name, Service Marks, Trademarks. Neither party will use the name, service marks, trademarks, or other identification of the other party or any of its affiliates for any purpose without the other party’s prior written consent.