News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

September 14, 1999

COMMISSIONERS HEAR FROM APOLOGETIC AT&T…VOTE TO REVISE RATE CHANGE NOTICE LANGUAGE

BODE CALLS ON AT&T TO REFUND CUSTOMERS

(OKLAHOMA CITY)—The Oklahoma Corporation Commission voted Tuesday, September 14, in an emergency rule making hearing, to change the language long distance companies must use to let their customers know about rate increases.

Commission Chairman Bob Anthony and Commissioner Denise Bode voted to require prior or concurrent notice to customers when rates are increased for competitive telecommunication services. The hearing stemmed from AT&T customer complaints from receiving notice nearly two months after a July 8 long distance rate increase.

The new language on notice was referred to the commission’s General Counsel to be placed in final form and transmitted to Governor Frank Keating’s office for signature.

Commissioner Ed Apple abstained. Apple indicated during the hearing that he believed the problem was solved and that AT&T had agreed to do a better job of notifying its customers in the future.

AT&T attorney Mark Edwards told Commissioners that the company supports the commission staff’s proposed rules language changes. Edwards called advance notice in the best interest of AT&T’s customers and claimed the company changed its practices.

Commissioner Denise Bode asked the AT&T attorney if his company had considered refunding the nearly two months of increased long distance rates to its Oklahoma customers. Edwards said he had not discussed that possibility with the company.

Bode later pointed out that AT&T notified commission staff that they were already providing refunds to customers that complain. Bode believes a refund to all Oklahoma customers would serve to demonstrate AT&T’s commitment to better customer service in the future.