The order requires competitive local telephone companies to provide flat rate service as part of a minimum package. It also creates a fund to maintain a lifeline program if a company provides special programs for low income applicants.
Lifeline programs extend basic phone services to low income customers.
Tongren was pleased to see that marketing requirements similar to those enforced by the Attorney General were included in the Commission's guidelines. My office advocated these consumer safeguards to the PUCO in our comments during the rulemaking. Tongren further commented on the importance of a three-year review proposed by the order. This experiment which promises new competition in local telephone service will require continued careful observation. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel represents the interests of residential utility customers of Ohio's investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone and water companies.