News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Matt Skinner, Public Information Officer

Phone: (405) 521-4180, FAX: (405) 522-1623, www.occ.state.ok.us

February 4, 2002

Commission Approves Effort To Help Storm Victims Get Phone Calls

(Oklahoma City) The Oklahoma Corporation Commission today approved a request from Southwestern Bell that it be allowed to offer call-forwarding service free of charge for 30 days to victims of the recent ice storm who are currently without phone service.

“The Commission is working with all the utilities to try and facilitate efforts that will help consumers in the wake of this terrible ice storm,” said Commission Chairman Denise Bode. “This emergency action is an example of the kind of steps that can be taken to help the victims.”

Under the emergency order, Southwestern Bell customers in the 28 counties covered by Governor Keating’s disaster declaration who have been displaced from their home or business because of the storm will be able to have their calls forwarded to a number of their choice at no charge for 30 days. The offer applies only to those customers who do not currently having the call-forwarding service. At the end of 30 days, the customer will have to contact Southwestern Bell to discontinue the service or it will be automatically continued at the normal charge.

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All news advisories and releases are available for downloading on the OCC web site at www.occ.state.ok.us