Consumer advocates object to proposed telephone rule change
Monday, September 08, 2008
COLUMBUS — Consumer advocates are arguing against a proposal by the staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that would make it easier to disconnect telephone customers with bundled services who fail to make payments.
Customers with bundled services who at least pay for the local dial-tone service portion of their bills should be allowed to keep the dial tone so they can make essential calls to family members and doctors, said the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, a state office which represents residential customers of Ohio utilities.
Bundled services are packages of communications products that can include a local dial tone along with features such as call waiting, and unregulated services including Internet access and dish satellite television.
The PUCO staff has proposed the disconnect authority for Ohio's telephone companies, which are supporting that proposed change in the state's requirements for minimum standards of local telephone service. It could take effect on Jan. 1 if the PUCO commissioners approve the staff's recommendation.
The Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Dayton's Edgemont Neighborhood Coalition and other consumer advocates filed their objections to the plan with the PUCO on Friday, Sept. 5.
