DRA Urges the Commission to Consider Consumers' Interest in Pending Decisions
On July 1, 2008, the Commission issued a Proposed Decision in R-06-06-028 that will allow telephone companies to raise rates for essential basic services after the price freeze ends at the beginning of 2009.
On July 1, 2008, the Commission also issued a Proposed Decision in R-05-04-005 that would remove much of its oversight of California’s four largest local telephone companies. The Commission rejects DRA’s proposal to have these companies file detailed information about their operations, such as their revenues, the number of lines they serve, and price lists of their services. The Commission also rejects DRA’s recommendation to have studies conducted of phone service affordability and the extent to which competition for phone services exists throughout California.
Advocacy
On July 21, 2008, DRA filed Opening Comments on these two Proposed Commission Decisions.
DRA believes that the Proposed Decision in R.06-06-028 is flawed because it concludes that competition will be enough to keep rates low for the most basic standalone services and the most vulnerable customer groups.
DRA opposes this Proposed Decision and urges the Commission to conduct affordability studies, to preserve rate caps for basic services, and to establish and keep reasonable rates for related services and features such as call waiting, and zone usage charges.
Read DRA’s Opening Comments:
Opening Comments of the Division of Ratepayer Advocates on Proposed Decision of Commissioner Chong Regarding Pricing Transition Plan
DRA’s comments on the Proposed Decision in R.05-04-005 alert the Commission that these companies are also trying to get out of reporting this information to the FCC, that California consumers require continued protection at the state level, and there is a continued need to monitor prices, sevice availability, and the status of competition.
Read DRA’s Opening Comments:
Comments of the Division of Ratepayer Advocates on Proposed Decision Regarding Monitoring Reports, Retail Special Access Pricing and Customer Disclosure Rules
Read DRA's Reply Comments:
Reply Comments of the Division of Ratepayer Advocates on Proposed Decision Regarding Monitoring Reports, Retail Special Access Pricing and Customer Disclosure Rules.