Q. Where is competition occurring now?
A. Electric Lightwave Inc. is currently the only company other than US WEST offering local dialtone service. It serves only business customers in the Salt Lake area.
Q. Will competition mean lower telephone rates?
A. Yes and no. US WEST says residential rates will likely increase. Its competitors, such as AT&T and Phoenix FiberLink, disagree. They say residential rates should stay the same or decrease.
Business and toll rates will go down in most cases. How much? The savings could be as high as 15 percent, according to some competitors.
But not all businesses that switch providers will reap savings. They'll pay the same amount for faster service, greater reliability and more features.
Q. Who will repair my telephone line if there is a problem?
A. Most competitors have their own networks, which they maintain. So you'll call your provider. In the future, it may get more convoluted as firms resell service over US WEST's network.
Q. Will I need a new telephone number if I switch to a new provider?
A. The question of whether you can take your telephone number if you switch providers is one of the key issues in interconnection negotiations between US WEST and competitors. The FCC's goal is to let consumers keep the same number, regardless of who serves them.
US WEST says it's not that simple; there are complicated, expensive technical issues that must be resolved to allow "number portability." Its competitors all want consumers to be able to keep their numbers.
Q. Who will provide operator assistance?
A. You will still be able to reach an operator by dialing "0" or "411" for assistance. Some companies, such as Electric Lightwave and Phoenix FiberLink, say they will provide directory services in the future.