News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

October 11, 1999

(OKLAHOMA CITY)—The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has ordered QWEST Communications to pay the Commission $30,000 within 30 days as the result of several slamming complaints from Oklahoma consumers filed with the commission’s Consumer Services Division. QWEST also faces the possibility of an additional $150,000 in payments to the commission under the order.

Slamming is defined as changing a person’s long distance carrier without prior authorization.

The settlement with QWEST also contains provisions providing for additional payments of $50,000 a year for each of the next three years if the commission receives 10 or more consumer complaints each year in violation of state law.

The total amount which QWEST might possibly pay the commission pursuant to the terms of the order is $180,000.

Consumer Services Director Bill Burnett calls the QWEST settlement "an effort to bring about a behavior change in the telecommunications industry without hearings and fines." Burnett says he doesn’t want to hinder competition, but further complaints will result in the commission examining the company’s certificate to do business in the state.

As part of the settlement, QWEST must notify all consumers identified in the complaint and reinstate them to the service provider of their choice without cost, including reimbursement of charges previously paid by consumers to reestablish service.

QWEST agrees to submit to the commission’s Consumer Service Division for review and approval any sales, advertising and marketing materials directed to individual Oklahoma residents and inform the commission in writing of all complaints received from Oklahoma customers.