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From: AMillar@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: PacBell to Eliminate Touch-Tone Charges
Message-ID: <9303@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 26 Jun 90 06:57:22 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 456, Message 4 of 7


Here's what it says in the flyer I received with my phone bill (I left
out the parts mentioning the other issue, the size of the local
calling area):

                 ------------------------

In October 1989, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
.... agreed to eliminate separate charges for residential Touch-Tone
Service, and indicated it would consider eliminating separate charges
for business Touch-Tone Service as well. (CPUC Decision D.89-10-031)

The CPUC asked Pacific Bell and other interested parties to submit
their plans to implement these decisions including proposals to
recover costs associated with these changes.  In April, Pacific Bell
filed the first phase of its plan.  We recommended that the changes
take effect within the next year.  We will notify you after the CPUC
decides how and when these changes will take place.

[....]

 - Touch-Tone Service charges eliminated - Most residential customers
have Touch-Tone Service and pay $1.20 per month for it.  The
connection charge is $3.  Those charges will be eliminated under the
CPUC order, and all residential customers will receive Touch-Tone
Service automatically.

[....]

Also, we are proposing that business customers receive Touch-Tone
Service as part of their basic service.  Our proposal on this is
awaiting a CPUC decision.  Business customers pay a one-time
connection charge of $5 and $1.70 per month for Touch-Tone Service
today.

The CPUC will consider our proposal and others during the next few
weeks and might decide to hold evidentiary hearings, in which the
parties present evidence on their plans, July 30 and 31 at 505 Van
Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102,

If you wish to be notified in the event hearings are required, write
to: Public Advisor's Office, CPUC, 505 Van Ness Ave., Rm 5303, San
Francisco, CA 94102.

For information about Pacific Bell's proposal, write to: Pacific Bell,
Technical Filings Manager, 140 New Montgomery St. Rm 911, San
Francisco, CA 94105.

                     --------------------

So it hasn't happened yet, but it's on the way.  Although I am only
guessing, I think it is fair to say that as part of the proposal,
residential customers will face an increase in basic monthly service
of $1.20 and business customers will pay $1.70 more....  ;-)


Alan Millar      AMillar@cup.portal.com

P.S.  And the basic connection cost for a line will go up by 
      $3 and $5 for residential and business....