| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
January 20, 2000
ROCKEFELLER CALLS ON BELL ATLANTIC AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO LOWER WEST VIRGINIA PHONE RATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has called on Bell Atlantic and the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) to use newly received universal service funds to lower phone bills for West Virginia families and businesses. Bell Atlantic will receive $32 million because of reforms made to the universal service program, and it is up the company and the PSC to determine how that money will be used. Their plan, which must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission, is expected to be announced in the near future.
In his letters, Rockefeller commented, "I want to highlight a remarkable opportunity that now exists to use new universal service funds to lower phone rates for thousands of West Virginians. The fact that West Virginia's phone rates are among the highest in the nation is unacceptable."
Rockefeller stated in his letter, "Under the FCC's new reforms, West Virginia will receive over $30 million in new universal service funds. This is a tremendous opportunity for the people of our state if the funds are used for the right priorities. It is my sincere hope that your work with the Public Service Commission will ensure that these funds will be used to lower West Virginia's telephone bills."
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