Public witness day at the Utah Public Service Commission attracted about 12 people Friday, most concerned with the effect proposed changes in telephone rates would have on their small businesses.
The public witness session was held in conjunction with PSC consideration of a rate case involving US WEST Communications. The PSC announced on Wednesday that it will order a rate decrease of about $25 million but is continuing to hear testimony on how rates should be spread among the different customer classes. Testimony will conclude with oral arguments June 2.Most concerned were those operating answering services for small businesses and professionals such as doctors and dentists. Many said installation fees and an increase in the monthly per-line rate would virtually force them out of business.
They said the change also provides US WEST with an advantage in selling its "voice mail" services, which will be offered at rates far less expensive than answering services will be able to charge under the proposed rate structure.
US WEST was directed to address that issue in testimony next Wednesday before the PSC.
Another concern raised was the rate associated with Life Line, a service intended to benefit low-income households. It was noted that while basic rates for telephone service in Salt Lake City have fallen over the past two years, the Life Line rate has actually increased. PSC Chairman Ted Stewart said that issue has been brought before the commission and will be addressed in rule making after the rate case concludes.
During the session, Stewart told one witness concerned about charity donations by US WEST that it has been agreed all future charity donations will come from stockholder money and not ratepayer proceeds. That takes the issue out of the PSC's jurisdiction, Stewart said.
Also raised during the session was access to emergency 911 service by deaf people using special telecommunications devices. US WEST officials said they emergency dispatchers that the call is from a special phone for deaf callers. It will be up to local government officials, however, to decide if they want to finance changes that may be needed to make the recommendations work.