US WEST Communications plans to begin providing unlimited local cellular phone calls to Utah customers who have been waiting for regular phone service.
In Colorado, the phone company gives a $150 monthly voucher for cellular phone service to customers whose phone lines are not repaired or installed within 30 days.The Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which has fined US WEST for not meeting service standards, has acknowledged that the $150 might not cover total cellular phone costs. But it was deemed sufficient to provide for "health, safety and welfare" calling.
In Utah, the state Public Service Commission proposed unlimited local cellular calling as an alternative to fining the Englewood-based company from $500 to $2,000 per day per occurrence.
The commission decided the $150 monthly reimbursement was inadequate for such heavy callers as businesses. The plan still must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
US WEST had 1,430 orders for service on hold at the end of the second quarter and 1,599 at the end of the third quarter.
Duane Cook, a US WEST spokesman in Utah, said the held orders peaked in August and had been declining since. The backlog grew due to a combination of unprecedented growth in demand in the state and shortage earlier this year of copper and fiber optic phone cable, he said.
Customers in other parts of the company's 14-state region are facing similar situations.
In Colorado, more than 2,300 people are waiting for phone service, many of whom have waited for months to have phones in-stalled.
Two-thirds of those on waiting lists are in rural areas.
"From our perspective, this is a problem that's now into its third year. The explanations are wearing thin," said Colorado PUC spokesman Terry Bote.
US WEST officials say they have been unable to keep up with the state's rapid growth and demands for new service.
While US WEST began the cellular phone voucher program for those who wait more than 30 days, cellular phones don't work in some rural areas. In addition, the program expires Dec. 31.
The PUC is drafting a rule requiring US WEST to continue the program, but "the company has consistently taken the position that we cannot force them to provide these cellular vouchers," Bote said.