kenj%wybbs.UUCP@sharkey.cc.umich.edu (Ken Jongsma) (09/14/89)
My GTE California bill had an interesting insert in it this month.
The California Public Utilities Commision is considering the following
proposed regulation of COCOTS:
1) Local Calls from *all* payphones would be .20 for 5 years.
2) All payphones will provide free access to emergency, repair,
directory assistance, 800 and *local telephone company
operators when 0 is dialed*.
(No word about 10xxx access though.)
3) All payphones will provide clear signs indicating rates,
dialing instructions, free access, the identity of the
phone vendor and the long distance carrier serving the
phone.
4) Prices approved by the CPUC to be strictly enforced.
5) An additional charge of .30 (called "Paystation Charge"),
could be added to 0+ calls. this is addition to the current
.40 charge for credit card and 1.00 for collect charge.
I think this is terrific and long overdue. The only one that isn't
clear is number 5. Presumably the new .40 charge is in place of any
excessive charge the local vendor has programmed their phone to collect.
I don't know how much luck CPUC is going to have enforcing these
rules on out of state calls, but I wish them all the best. They certainly
would serve as an excellent model for the rest of the country.
The insert goes on to give dates and times of the hearings and an address if
you wish to mail comments. Presumably everyone in CA is getting this insert,
so I won't include that info.
Ken@cup.portal.com
[Moderator's Note: Please keep us posted on the results of this. PT]