Options for Telephone Consumers

The divestiture, or breakup, of AT&T has been difficult and confusing for consumers. But, along with the other changes in the telephone industry, it has given us choices and money-saving possibilities. For example, you can: Choose among many long distance companies; and own your own phone(s) and save the rental fee.

Local Telephone Service

As a telephone consumer, you also can choose the kind of local service you want. The types of local service available are:

• Basic Budget: You pay a monthly charge for service and are billed for each call you make. If you are not eligible for Life Line service, this is the least expensive type of local service.

• Untimed Message Rate Service: You pay a monthly charge for service, which includes an allowance for local calls. When the monthly allowance is used up, you are billed for each additional call you make, regardless of the length of the call.

• Timed Message Rate Service: You pay a monthly charge for service, which includes an allowance for local calls. When the monthly allowance is used up, you are billed on the basis of the length of the call.

• Flat Rate Service (for individual and party line customers): You pay a fixed charge each month and can make an unlimited number of local calls. (Note: This service is not available in all parts of the State.)

• Life Line Service: A discounted telephone service program offered by local telephone service companies as required by the federal law that is available to low-income telephone customers who are eligible for the following programs:

• Temporary Assistance Program
• Food Stamps
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veteran's Disability of Surviving Spouse Pension