News from the Oklahoma Corporation
Commission
Phone: (405)
521-4180, FAX: (405) 522-1623, www.occ.state.ok.us
(Oklahoma City) Oklahoma
Corporation Commissioners today welcomed the entrance of MCI to the local-phone
service market in Oklahoma.
“This is just the type of announcement we envisioned
when the Commission adopted the alternative regulation rules opening
Southwestern Bell’s local phone service to competition,” said Commission
Chairman Denise Bode. “MCI’s decision
means more customer choice, and competition that can result in ‘more bang for
the buck’ for Oklahomans.
Commission Vice-Chairman Bob Anthony noted
MCI’s “The Neighborhood” program
reflects the changes that have occurred both in the local and long distance
markets.
“Under alternative regulation, not only
is the local phone market opened to competition, competition increases in the
long distance market as well, as local phone companies are allowed to sell long
distance. This increased competition has prompted such innovative programs as MCI’s
new offering, which combines both the long distance and local elements of phone
service.”
Commissioner Ed Apple noted all the new programs
being offered by the telecommunications companies doing business in Oklahoma
means consumers must do their homework.
“With greater choice comes greater responsibility
for the consumer,” said Commissioner Apple.
“The Commission is moving aggressively to provide Oklahomans the
information they need in order to know what their rights are when it comes to
telephone service, and to be able to comparison shop and make the right
decision for themselves.”
This information is available on the Commission’s
web site (www.occ.state.ok.us) as
well as in brochure form at various agencies and community organizations.
-occ-
(All OCC releases and
advisories are available on the OCC web site www.occ.state.ok.us)