Cal-Ore Communications Network Management Policy

Effective Date: January 1st, 2023
Version: 1.1 (Draft Revision)

1. Purpose

This Network Management Policy (“Policy”) provides guidelines for managing broadband traffic and services delivered by Cal-Ore Communications, including DSL, fiber-optic, and fixed wireless broadband. It is designed to comply with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Open Internet Rules (Part 8 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations) and applicable California law, including the California Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act of 2018, to support an open, fair, and accessible Internet experience for all users.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to all broadband services provided by Cal-Ore Communications. It covers all users—residential, business, or governmental—and addresses the following areas:

• Traffic management
• Network transparency
• Device compatibility
• Performance expectations
• Consumer rights and disclosures

3. Network Management Practices

3.1 Traffic Management

Cal-Ore employs reasonable, non-discriminatory traffic management practices to maintain a high-quality service experience for all users:

• Congestion Management: During temporary congestion, Cal-Ore may prioritize essential services, such as emergency communications and VoIP traffic. These practices are implemented without targeting or degrading specific content, services, or applications.
• Network Optimization: Techniques like caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), and traffic shaping may be used to enhance performance. These methods are applied uniformly and transparently.
• Security Management: Cal-Ore uses standard practices to mitigate harmful activity on the network, such as DDoS attacks and malicious traffic. This may involve blocking known hostile IP addresses/ports or temporarily blocking traffic to a specific customer or network under attack.
• Application-Agnostic Congestion Relief: In certain circumstances, high-bandwidth usage patterns (e.g., peer-to-peer sharing) may be temporarily throttled or blocked to preserve service quality. These measures are based on overall usage impact and are not intended to target specific applications.

3.2 Transparency and Disclosure

Cal-Ore provides information on its website regarding:

• Network management practices
• Performance expectations, including typical speed ranges and latency
• Limitations on device or application use (if any)

Users may request additional information by contacting Cal-Ore Customer Support.

3.3 No Blocking of Lawful Content

Cal-Ore does not block or impair access to lawful websites, content, or services. Restrictions are only applied as required by law or to preserve network integrity and customer safety.

3.4 Device and Application Use

Subscribers may use lawful devices and applications of their choice, provided they are compatible with our network and do not cause harm or degradation to service quality. Cal-Ore reserves the right to restrict the use of devices or applications that threaten network performance or security.

3.5 No Discrimination in Traffic Delivery

Cal-Ore does not prioritize or discriminate against any lawful content or services for commercial advantage. All traffic is treated equitably, except when necessary for reasonable technical management or emergency prioritization.

3.6 No Paid Prioritization

Cal-Ore does not participate in paid prioritization. No content, service, or application receives preferential treatment in exchange for payment or affiliation.

4. Performance Metrics and Quality of Service

4.1 Performance Expectations

Cal-Ore provides broadband services with performance suitable for common uses, including streaming, online education, remote work, and gaming. Speeds are described using “up to” estimates and may vary based on:

• Customer location
• Type of broadband connection (DSL, fiber, or fixed wireless)
• Network demand and congestion
• Equipment and device compatibility

4.2 Performance Transparency

Cal-Ore offers tools and information for consumers to test and understand their broadband performance, including:

• Speed test resources
• Guidance on expected variations
• Disclosures of limitations from external networks

5. Compliance and Flexibility

5.1 Regulatory Compliance

Cal-Ore complies with FCC rules and applicable California laws and policies, to the extent they are not preempted by federal regulation. We continually review legal obligations and industry standards to ensure ongoing compliance.

5.2 Policy Amendments

This Policy may be updated to reflect:

• Regulatory changes
• Network technology updates
• Evolving best practices

Changes will be published on our website and may be communicated through other customer-facing channels.

6. Contact Information

For questions or additional information:

Phone: 800-858-2399
Email: support@cot.net
Website: https://calore.net

This policy is intended to promote transparency and fairness while preserving flexibility to address future technical and legal developments.