Why did the PUCO adopt rules regarding basic local telephone service?
• Companies can petition the PUCO for pricing flexibility of basic local telephone service and basic caller ID. • To apply, companies must first deploy advanced telecommunications services. • Applicant companies must prove that competition exists on an exchange-by-exchange basis. • In exchanges where competition is not proven to exist, rates for basic local telephone service and basic caller ID will not change. • In telephone exchanges where competition exists and pricing flexibility is granted, increases to basic local telephone service and basic caller ID rates will be limited. • No matter what, the PUCO retains regulatory oversight of service quality and consumer protections. • Companies must provide customers advanced notice of any rate increases. • Lifeline rates for low-income Ohioans will not change.
