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To: Editors, News Directors |
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For: Immediate Release |
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Commissioners Seek Public Comment on Telecom Billing Practices |
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PHOENIX – Line items on phone bills seem to be multiplying almost as fast as the plan and pricing options being offered to consumers today. Whether it’s on a mobile phone bill or a traditional land line phone bill, consumers are seeing more itemized charges – sometimes with very vague descriptions. Confused consumers outraged over mysterious “regulatory fees” prompted the Arizona Corporation Commissioners to open a docket to examine the billing practices of telecommunications providers in Arizona. |
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The majority of complaints coming into the Commission are related to wireless telephone service over which the Commission has limited jurisdiction. Last year alone, the Commission received 1,598 complaints about telecommunications companies and 995 were about billing issues. |
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The Commissioners want to hear directly from wireless and wireline consumers about truth in billing and customer service issues. The public comment process may lead the Commissioners to open a formal rulemaking process in order to protect phone customers from ambiguous charges or unfair billing practices. |
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Public comment sessions will begin in October and continue through at least December. The first few meetings are being announced today. They are: |
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Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 6:00 PM East Valley Public Comment Session Mesa City Hall Upper Level Council Chambers 57 East First Street Mesa, AZ 85211
Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 5:00 PM Phoenix Public Comment Session Arizona Corporation Commission First Floor Hearing Room 1200 West Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007
Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 3:00 PM West Valley Public Comment Session Sundial Recreation Center 14801 North 103rd Avenue (103rd Avenue and Boswell Road) Sun City, AZ 85351 |
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Additional meetings are being planned for Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Yuma and one or more locations in Cochise County. |
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About Public Comment Sessions |
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Public comment sessions are formal proceedings and all comments will be transcribed by a court reporter. The Commissioners may limit the duration of each individual’s comments to allow everyone a fair opportunity to speak. |
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Other Ways to Offer Input to the Commission |
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Public Comment by Mail |
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If you cannot attend a public comment session, the Commission encourages the timely submission of written comments. If it concerns a specific billing issue or line item, please enclose a copy of your bill. Be sure to reference the docket numbers to ensure that your comments are properly catalogued and referenced. |
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Arizona
Corporation Commission
Docket Number: T-00000D-04-0582 |
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Electronic Public Comment |
| You may also comment through the Commission’s “Can We Help You” page on the Utilities Division website. Be sure to include the docket number listed above. For instructions on filing electronic public comment, click on http://www.cc.state.az.us/utility/cons/index.htm. |
