CMP.WERNER@R20.UTEXAS.EDU (Werner Uhrig) (04/19/87)
[ from the Austin American Statesman, April 12, 87 ] PHONE UTILITIES CONSIDERING $3 SERVICE FEE DALLAS (AP) - More than a dozen Texas telephone utilitties are considering adding a $3 cahrge for basic service to monthly bills, a move that would transfer costs now paid by long-distance companies to local consumers. The additional charge, which must be approved by the PUC would cost customers $820 million over five years, the Dallas Times Herald reported Saturday. Jon Loehman, vice president for rates and revenues for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., said the suggested charge has not been formally approved by the utilities. If the proposal was approved by the companies, it would go before the PUC. The utilities' proposal is to gradually use revenue from the $3 fee to replace some of the multimillion-dollar charges long-distance companies must pay local telephone companies for access to their lines. "It sounds to me like another plan to put money in the pockets of phone companies that is going to hurt some consumers and small businesses," said Sen. Chet Edwards, D-Duncanville. -------