dsc3rjs@nmdsc20.nmdsc.nnmc.navy.mil (Bob Stratton) (10/13/90)
This morning I went on a quest for COCOT tariffs for the Washington DC
Metropolitan area. What I learned was somewhat surprising...
I called the Washington DC PSC (Public Service Commission), and asked
for the COCOT tariffs - they told me they'd mail them the same day.
I had similar luck with the Maryland state PUC. They, too, told me
they'd drop them in the mail.
I called the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and was told that
COCOT vendors must follow the coin station tariffs for the applicable
RBOC (Regional Bell Operating Company), and that they would cost me
$1.00 per page (21 pages). I then called C&P Telephone (tm) [A Bell
Atlantic company], and spoke to the coin phone service people, who
gave me an 800 number just for COCOT information. When I called these
people, as a potential COCOT vendor (It pained me - the things one
must go through for enlightenment...) the CSR told me that he'd send
me the whole information packet, which contains the tariffs for
DC/MD/VA/WV, and it wouldn't cost me a cent.
Does it seem like the Virginia SCC is in bed with the RBOC, or just
incredibly lazy?!
I called the C&P business office asking where I could view the
tariffs, and had to wait on hold for ten minutes while a confused rep
checked - only to be informed that I must make an appointment, or they
wouldn't show them to me! So much for informed consumers and
regulation.
Bob Stratton | dsc3rjs@nmdsc{20 | 10}.nmdsc.nnmc.navy.mil [Internet]
Stratton Systems Design | dsc3rjs@vmnmdsc.BITNET [BITNET only, please!]
| +1 703 823 MIND [PSTNet]
Disclaimer: The above opinions are mine alone - Who else would want them?