Extended Area Service (EAS) allows landline telephone customers in one local calling area, known as an exchange, to call one or more neighboring exchanges without incurring per-minute toll charges. Customers may select either a Flat Rate EAS for unlimited calls to nearby EAS exchanges, or a Measured-Rate EAS billed per-minute rate for calls actually made.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is responsible for ensuring the costs for EAS services remain reasonable for customers.
History of EAS
In the late 1980’s, the PUC established the process for creating EAS routes. Specifically, customers living in a given exchange submitted petitions to the PUC to create a new EAS route. The PUC would then determine whether a “community of interest” existed between the petitioning exchange and the nearby exchange. A community of interest existed where there is a social, economic, or political connection between the two communities, or where there is a strong inter-dependence for services and facilities.