The following terms and conditions apply to International Origen Telecommunications Inc. ("Origen") provision of telephony services (the "Services") and sets out the basic rights, obligations and limitations of Origen to its Subscribers (the "Subscriber"). All of the terms and conditions contained herein (hereinafter referred to as "Terms") bind both Origen and the Subscriber and are subject to change from time to time at the sole discretion of Origen, without any prior notice to the Subscriber.
General
This is our agreement with you, the Subscriber. You agree not to use our Service for an illegal purpose, violating any law, making annoying or offensive calls, or interfering with other Subscribers' Service. You further agree not to resell, transfer, or share your service.
1.0 Emergency Services- 9-1-1 Dialing through VoIP (Voice Over IP) services
1.01 Non-Availability of Traditional 9-1-1 or E9-1-1 Dialing Service.
Origen offers on its Business Phone service a form of 9-1-1 Dialing service (9-1-1 Dialing) that is similar to traditional 9-1-1 (9-1-1) service but has some important differences and limitations when compared with enhanced 9-1-1 Dialing service (E9-1-1) available in most locations in conjunction with traditional telephone service. With both traditional 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 Dialing service, your call is sent directly to the nearest emergency response center. In addition, with E9-1-1 Dialing service, your call back number and address are visible to the emergency response center call-taker. With Business Phone's 9-1-1 Dialing service, your call is sent to a national emergency call center. The call center. operator will confirm your location information and then transfer your 9-1-1 call to the emergency response center nearest your location. You should be prepared to confirm your address and call-back number with the operator. Do not hang up unless told directly to do so and if disconnected, you should dial 9-1-1 again. 9-1-1 fee of $0.75 per number shall apply.
1.02 Registration of Physical Location Required
You should ensure your location information, when registered with Origen, is kept current at all times. In case you are not able to speak during the 9-1-1 call, the call taker would dispatch emergency response vehicles to your last registered address. You need to update your 9-1-1 Dialing information if you move your device to a different location and if you add a new line to your account. To update or verify your 9-1-1 Dialing information you will need to log into the 9-1-1 section of the my account web portal at the Origen website. Your 9-1-1 Dialing service is activated when you subscribe to Origen Business Phone service
1.03 Service Outages.
9-1-1 Dialing service will not function in the event of a power or broadband outage or if your broadband, ISP or Business Phone service is suspended or terminated. Following a power failure or disruption, you may need to reset or reconfigure your Telephone Adapater prior to utilizing the service, including 9-1-1 Dialing.
1.04 Re-Registration Required if You Change Your Number or Add or Port New Numbers.
You must update and verify online at the my account web portal your location of use for each changed, newly added or newly ported number in order for 9-1-1 Dialing to function correctly.
1.05 Network Congestion; Reduced Speed for Routing or Answering 9-1-1 Dialing Calls.
There may be a greater possibility of network congestion and/or reduced speed in the routing of a 9-1-1 call made utilizing the Service as compared to traditional 9-1-1- Dialing over traditional public telephone networks.
1.06 Conveying Limitations to other residents and business.
You should inform any household residents, business and other persons who may be present at the physical location where you utilize the Origen Business Phone service, of the important differences in and limitations of VoIP 9-1-1 Dialing service as compared with E9-1-1 Dialing service, as set out above.
1.07 Disclaimer of Liability and Indemnification.
We do not have any control over whether, or the manner in which, calls using our 9-1-1 Dialing service are answered or addressed by any local emergency response center. We disclaim all responsibility for the conduct of local emergency response centers and the national emergency calling center. We rely on third parties to assist us in routing 9-1-1 calls to local emergency response centers and to a national emergency calling center. We disclaim any and all liability or responsibility in the event such third party data used to route calls is incorrect or yields an erroneous result. Neither Origen nor its officers or employees may be held liable for any claim, damage, or loss, and you hereby waive any and all such claims or causes of action, arising from or relating to our 9-1-1 Dialing service unless such claims or causes of action arose from our gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct. You shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Origen, its officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents and any other service provider who furnishes services to you in connection the Service, from any and all claims, losses, damages, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) by, or on behalf of, you or any third party relating to the absence, failure or outage of the Service, including 9-1-1 Dialing, incorrectly routed 9-1-1 Dialing calls, and/or the inability of any user of the Service to be able to use 9-1-1 Dialing or access emergency service personnel.
1.08 Alternate 9-1-1 Arrangements.
If you are not comfortable with the limitations of the 9-1-1 Dialing service, you should consider having
an alternate means of accessing traditional 9-1-1 or E9-1-1 Dialing services or terminating the Service.
2.0 Service
2.01 Type of Services
The Terms contained herein apply to all the Services which Subscriber may subscribe from Origen, including, for: (i) fixed fee, bundled minutes and unlimited long distance calling plans for residential/Business purposes in those destinations designated by Origen from time to time from a designated telephone number (collectively, the "Unlimited Programs" or individually an "Unlimited Program"); (ii) pay for use regular long distance calling plans to countries designated by Origen from time to time other than those countries which Subscriber has already subscribed for as part of the Unlimited Programs (the "Standard Program "); (iii) Internet Voice Over IP local phone service (Business Phone). Subscriber may use the Services provided by Origen for long distance calling or local calling provided that Subscriber does so in compliance with all applicable laws and the terms herein. Subscriber acknowledges that he/she is the person authorized to subscribe for the Services. The Services may only be used by Subscriber and all persons having the Subscriber's permission to use the Services. Subscriber may only use the Services for voice telephone calls to landlines as the Services cannot be used for internet connections, faxing or other data transmission without the express written consent from Origen.
2.02 Charges, Billing and Payment
Subscriber is responsible for paying all charges, plus all applicable taxes thereon, for the Services subscribed for from Origen (which charges are subject to change from time to time at the sole discretion of Origen without notice to Subscriber), including for all calls: (i) made via Subscriber's telephones or telecommunications systems; (ii) made using any number or authorization access code assigned to Subscriber; and (iii) which are charged to Subscriber's account. Subscriber is responsible for the security of Subscriber's authorization codes, and access to Subscriber's telephones and telecommunications systems. NSF and all refused payments shall incur a $25 administrative fee per occurrence. Credit Card charge-backs will incur a $50 administration. Origen reserves the right to charge a 25% administrative fee for all accounts remitted to collections. Due to billing software limitations any reference to Tax 1 or T1 is in fact an additional service charge and not a government tax. Calls to toll free numbers will be billed at our North America Long Distance rate.
2.03 Charges will commence as of the activation date of the Service(s).
Subscriber must pay for the charges of Services by either credit card by providing Origen with Subscriber's credit card number upon subscribing for the Service or Pre-Authorized cheque payment by providing Origen with the appropriate banking information; Subscriber authorizes Origen to make such charges against such credit card or bank account to satisfy all charges for the Services. Origen will charge Subscriber's credit card or bank account for charges for the Unlimited Program or any other package in advance commencing on the date of activation of the Services (pro rata for the remaining days in such month) and thereafter, amount equal to 1 month payment for all packages purchased by Subscriber will be taken from Subscriber's credit card during period from the first day of the month of service till the last day of the month of service, on a monthly basis or as stipulated by Origen. Payment for Standard Services shall be made on the first day of each month for the Standard Services used in the preceding month. Origen at its sole discretion may elect to change billing dates. Call increments may vary depending on destination and length of call. Subscriber must bring payment inquiries and disputes to Origen's attention within 10 days after the charge for the Services have been paid or Subscriber will be deemed to have accepted such charges as accurate in all respects. You also agree to make all your payments by pre-authorized credit card payment with the card number you gave Origen during the activation process unless you have enrolled for billing services in which case payment is due upon receipt of invoice.
2.04 Credit and Security Deposits
Origen reserves the right to examine Subscriber's credit record before activating the Services. Should Origen at any time consider a prepaid credit deposit to be insufficient, a further credit deposit may be required before it provides, continues, or reinstates the Services to Subscriber. Origen will determine, at its discretion, how Subscriber's deposit or other security will be allocated to satisfy outstanding amounts owed by Subscriber to Origen. By subscribing to the Services, Subscriber authorizes Origen to investigate Subscriber's credit worthiness, exchange credit information with credit reporting agencies on an ongoing basis and agree from time to time, to provide appropriate authorizations and financial information as Origen may reasonably request for this purpose. All deposits or other prepayments made by a Subscriber in connection with the Services will earn no interest.
2.05 Contract Term and MSF Rate Guarantee
Origen services are sold on the following basis and may be subject to ECF detailed in section 2.9.
(a) Business Phone Term Contracts: 1-year, 2 year, and 3-year contracts. ECF will apply. The contract term length can be identified by the subscriber on the invoice for services with a 1YR, 2YR, or 3YR designation. The Term of the contract shall also serve as a rate guarantee to the Subscriber whereby his Monthly Service Fee (MSF) cannot be increased by Origen for the entire term.
(b) Business Phone No Contract: Subscriber may cancel service without ECF. Origen may increase rates at any time by providing Subscriber with 30 days notification.
(c) Business Phone Pre-paid: This service is sold as a bundle that includes service for a specific period of time. (Eg. $150 paid in advance, for 12 months of local phone service) Unless specifically advised by the Subscriber prior to the anniversary date, On each activation anniversary, Business Phone Pre-Paid is automatically renewed and the Subscriber will be charged once again. There are no refunds for any unused months for pre-paid service.
(d) Long Distance Service Contracts: Term contracts are subject to ECF.
2.06 Origen's Right to Refuse to Provide Services
(a) Subscriber owes amounts to Origen that are past due;
(b) Subscriber does not provide a security deposit or satisfy alternate security measures when requested
by Origen;
(c) Origen has terminated the Services to the Subscriber in the past; and
(d) Origen does not provide the requested Services to the country(s) desired by Subscriber.
2.07 Services Interruption
(a) Origen may interrupt the Services to the Subscriber at any time for any duration of time, without any notice or liability, in order to install, inspect, repair, replace or to perform necessary maintenance on the telecommunications equipment, facilities or network, or for other technical reasons as may be required.
Origen service is provided to the Subscriber on a best-efforts basis. Subscriber acknowledges that Business Phone VoIP service requires high-speed internet connectivity. Poor or lack of internet connectivity, power failure, computer viruses and the like (Connectivity Issues) will cause service interruption and or failure of the service to function. It is the responsibility of the Subscriber to remedy these Connectivity Issues.
(b) Origen is not liable for:
(i) any disruption or unavailability of the Services;
(ii) any act or omission of any third party (including any other local telephone company, any connecting carrier or underlying carrier or other provider of connections, facilities, or Services);
(iii) Subscriber's conduct, acts or omissions, or the operation or failure of Subscriber's equipment or facilities;
(iv) any event beyond the reasonable control of Origen including acts of God, inclement weather including lightning, labour disputes, riots or civil disputes, war or armed conflict, any law, governmental order, decision or regulation, or order of any court of competent jurisdiction; and
(v) its failure, for any reason, to activate the Services on the activation date Subscriber requested;
(vi) any charges by third parties including other telephone companies or wireless carriers for services they may have rendered in lieu of Origen service.
(c) Origen is a marketing company and does not provide actual telecom services. Origen acts as an agent of various third party carriers and subscriber accounts are the property of the respective carrier. The employees or agents of other carriers are not and shall not be deemed to be agents or employees of Origen. There is no express or implied warranty or condition, whether of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise, with respect to the Services. In subscribing for the Services, Subscriber obtains no proprietary right or interest in, any particular facility, service, equipment, telephone number or code associated with the Services.
Subscriber agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Origen against all claims, including fees and expenses of counsel, resulting from Subscriber's use (or the use by others with Subscriber's explicit or implicit consent) of the Services, Subscriber's codes, facilities or equipment, which causes direct or indirect damage or harm to another party or to the property of another.
2.08 Suspension or Termination of Services by Origen
(a) Without incurring any liability whatsoever, Origen may suspend or terminate any or all of the Services for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, where Subscriber:
(i) fails to pay an account that is past due, or Subscriber provides payment by cheque or credit card which is not honoured by Subscriber's bank;
(ii) fails to provide interim payments when requested by Origen;
(iii) fails to provide or maintain a reasonable deposit or alternate security when requested to do so by Origen;
(iv) fails to meet Origen's credit requirements, or Subscriber becomes bankrupt or otherwise insolvent;
(v) fails to comply with the terms of a deferred payment or credit agreement with Origen;
(vi) violates any provision of these Terms;
(vii) uses or permits others to use the Services for a purpose or in a manner that is contrary to law; or for the purpose of making harassing, threatening, abusive, annoying or offensive calls;
(viii) charges or allow others to charge any other person for the use of the Services without Origen's prior written agreement;
(ix) harasses, threatens or otherwise act unreasonably towards Origen, its employees or agents, or in relation to the Services;
(x) alters or otherwise interferes with Origen's facilities or equipment, or fail to replace or modify equipment or facilities which may harm, damage, interfere or pose a danger to others, the Services, or Origen's equipment, facilities or network; or
(xi) fails to provide payment for other accounts with Origen, including amounts owed by Subscriber as a guarantor for the account of another;
(xii) uses or permits others to use the Services for resell
(xiii) Abuses the network with excessive usage as may be determined by Origen. Excessive usage shall be determined solely by Origen
(xiv) uses or permits others to use the service for commercial or Business use.
(b) A suspension or termination will not affect Subscriber's obligation to pay any amounts owed to Origen either during or after the suspension or termination. If termination occurs during a contract period, Subscriber will be charged for all usage plus the contract obligations. Should reactivation of services be required, Origen will levy a reconnection fee of $25.
(c) Where the Services are cancelled, either by Subscriber or by Origen as provided herein, and there is an undisputed credit balance on Subscriber's account, Subscriber may require that it be refunded to Subscriber and Origen reserves the right to charge a reasonable processing fee in connection with issuing refunds.
2.09 Subscriber's Right to Terminate Services and Early Cancellation
(a) Term Contracts: All Origen Contacts renew automatically upon their expiration for successive one (1) year terms unless specifically advised otherwise by the Subscriber. The Subscriber is responsible for early cancellation fees (ECF) of their contract period. ECF shall be equal to $20 USD plus applicable taxes multiplied the number of months remaining on the contract term. The contract start date shall be the
date that the Subscriber enrolled for Origen Services. In order to prevent the Contract from renewing automatically for successive one (1) year terms; the Subscriber must formally and personally request cancellation at least thirty days prior to the expiration date. Third party termination requests are not approved.
(b) No-Contract: Subscribers enrolled in a month-to-month package shall only be liable for the charges used up to one month after their cancellation date. In addition the Subscriber will be responsible for all charges for the Standard Service incurred up to the effective cancellation date. Subscriber must formally and personally request cancellation at least thirty days prior to the expiration date. Third party
termination requests are not approved.
(c) Subscriber acknowledges that Origen Services are provided on a best-efforts basis and lack of service or poor quality is not grounds for contract termination. Subscriber must allow Origen reasonable time to diagnose and correct the it's problem. If the problem cannot be corrected within thirty-days form the initial report by the Subscriber, Subscriber may elect to terminate his contract without penalty or liability providing Origen with written notice of his intent to cancel. Where Origen has determined that the problem is not the fault of Origen but rather with Subscriber, his equipment, internet, phone lines, connectivity and the like, that are not under the control of Origen; in this case Subscribers wishing to still cancel will be responsible for ECF.
2.10 International Boundaries & Rate Variations
Calls to some countries may have higher rates due to international boundary and sovereignty disputes. Examples are territories such as Kashmir India, West Bank Israel, & Gaza Israel to name a few. Rates will be determined based on the area code being dialed and not the Country label.
3.0 Changes, and Modifications of the Services.
Without incurring liability, Origen may at any time and without notice to Subscriber, change, modify or terminate the Services, in whole or in part (including the rates or charges). In the event of any such change or modification, Subscriber will be responsible for paying all charges incurred for the use of the Services despite the change or modification, both before and after the date thereof.
3.01 Subscriber Confidentiality and Privacy
Before you begin to use our services, you will be asked to register to become a member. To complete the registration, you will need to give us some information about yourself including but not limited to your name, Email address, zip code, postal code, age, and occupation. Origen is collecting this information and we retain ownership of it.
3.02 Use of Information
Origen believes that knowing more about you will enable us to serve you better. It allows us to personalize the content and services we offer you. Information that you provide to Origen is kept confidential. Your information is for the use of Origen and its subsidiaries. It is not shared with any other third party.
3.03 Rate Changes
Origen reserves the unilateral right to change, modify, increase, decrease, or add surcharges, connection fees as may be required from time to time.
3.04 Promotions
Origen may at its sole discretion promote Origen services from time to time through a variety of media channels. This may include free services for a specific period of time (promotional period). After the promotional period the Subscriber will be billed for services automatically. Subscriber must call Origen Subscriber Service before the promotional period has elapsed and request to cancel future service. All cancellations must be verbal to Subscriber Service.
3.05 Service Abuse
You agree that your account may be monitored for use to determine abuse, residential, business, fraudulent, or use that undermines Origen operations in any way. Based on its determination Origen may deactivate service immediately without notice or liability. For service plans marketed as Unlimited"; these plans are monitored for abuse that may hinder services to other Subscribers. Unlimited services are not to be used for telemarketing, or broadcasting of any kind. Abuse is deemed when usage of Origen Unlimited services are in excess of 3000 minutes per month.
3.06 Equipment Returns
Some Origen services like Business Phone require equipment to be shipped (Telephone Adapter) from Origen to the subscriber for use with the service. The following terms apply to Equipment Returns where applicable:
(a) All equipment that must be returned to Origen for any reason must be at Subscribers' expense. Origen will not accept collect packages or pay to have packages picked up. All returned equipment must be returned to Origen in perfect resalable condition in its original packaging. Equipment returned in less than perfect condition, will be charged for refurbishing.
(b) Replacement: If the equipment is deemed defective by Origen, and new equipment is shipped to the Subscriber, the Subscriber is responsible at his own expense for the safe return of the defective unit to Origen in good physical condition at the address indicated by Origen representatives. All returned equipment must be accompanied with a note inside the packaging with the RA number (Return Authorization). Equipment without an RA will not be processed by Origen.
(c) Cancellation: Upon cancellation of Origen services, the Subscriber is responsible at his own expense for the safe return of the equipment to Origen in re-sellable condition at the address indicated by Origen representatives. All returned equipment must be accompanied with a note inside the packaging with the RA number (Return Authorization). If applicable, Origen will issue the refund within six weeks from the equipment return date (Date in which the equipment arrived at the Origen warehouse and a proof of delivery by signature can be established). Equipment without an RA will not be processed by Origen.
(d) Fees: Equipment not returned within 30 days of RA issue date or equipment with physical damage or missing components are subject to a replacement fee of no less than $50 and any applicable refunds will not apply. Origen reserves the unilateral right to issue partial refunds when equipment is missing minor items such as cables, power supplies, manuals, packaging etc.
(e) Origen Business IP Phone devices are non-refundable after 30 days of purchase.
(f) Business Phone IP-Phones may only be returned for refund within 30 days from the date of purchase and must have less than 15 minutes of usage. Returns are subject to a $35 restocking fee for each device.
3.07 Equipment Warranty
Unless an Extended Warranty is purchased all equipment that you receive from Origen carries a one (1) year manufacturer's warranty. Extended Warranty coverage commences 30 days after purchase of the warranty.
3.08 Telephone numbers
If you were assigned a telephone number from Origen, this number may at Origen sole and absolute discretion and subject to applicable law be assigned to another Subscriber. Transferring phone numbers to Origen (LNP) is possible only in Origen serving territory. If you decide to LNP your existing phone number to Origen from another telephone provider; it is possible that your service will be interrupted in
certain circumstances while the transfer is in process. To transfer any number to another company (Reverse LNP) will incur an administration fee of $50 per number.
3.09 No Directory Listing.
Origen does not automatically provide directory listings. Directory listings may be available in select serving area and by request only.
4.0 Service Incompatibility.
Business Security Systems. The Business Phone service may not be compatible with Business security systems. You may be required to maintain a telephone connection through your local exchange carrier in order to use any alarm monitoring functions for any security system installed in your Business or business. You are responsible for contacting the alarm monitoring company to test the compatibility of any alarm monitoring or security system with your Business Phone service.
Fax Machines. The Business Phone service can work with most fax machines, however due to various machine configurations, internet connectivity and bandwidth fluctuations, faxing using your fax machine and your Business Phone service is provided an best-efforts basis and Origen assumes no liability whatsoever and provides guarantee that faxing will work.
4.01 Rate Guarantee
Origen will match or beat any advertised long distance rate for like services. Subscriber must contact Origen to notify them of the competitor rate and Origen shall confirm such, prior to adjusting Subscriber's rate. The rate guarantee does not apply to pre-paid calling cards, bundled minute plans and select regions of the world including occupied territories and disputed lands.
4.02 General Terms
(a) Enurement/Assignment. These Terms are binding upon and shall ensure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives and permitted assigns; provided, however, that Subscriber shall not assign or transfer its rights or obligations under these Terms without the prior written consent of Origen.
(b) Notices. Notices shall be in writing and delivered by personal delivery or certified or registered mail to the last address provided by Subscriber.
(c) Unenforceable Provisions. If any part of these Terms shall be invalid or not enforceable under applicable law, such part shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceable part only, without in any way affecting the remaining parts of these Terms.
(d) Governing Law. These Terms and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the province of Ontario, and the federal laws of Canada applicable in such province.
(e) Entire Agreement. These Terms set forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all previous discussions, negotiations and agreements.
(f) French. Subscriber confirms that it wishes to have these Terms written in English only. Les parties aux presents confirment leur volonté que la Convention relative aux services de voix soit rédigée en langue anglaise seulement.
