Message from the Consumers' Counsel:

SBC, Verizon customers can make a choice

Consumers enjoy having options. That is why the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) has been advocating for residential customers to have local telephone choice since 1996, when the federal government declared that telephone markets should be "open."

Today, despite recent decisions by federal and state regulators that could hinder local telephone competition, our office continues to move forward with its efforts to promote local telephone choice and to educate consumers.

I encourage SBC Ohio and Verizon telephone customers to use OCC as a resource as they learn about other local telephone providers and compare prices. To assist these consumers, the OCC offers:

1. Comparing Your Local Telephone Choices fact sheets - side-by-side comparison charts for SBC and Verizon that list prices, provide questions to ask providers and explains many packages and telephone features.
2. SBC interactive comparison tool - consumers can select specific features desired in their telephone service and receive a list of calling plans that match their choices along with rate and company contact information.

To learn more about local telephone choice, view the Choosing a Local Telephone Provider fact sheet or call the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (877-742-5622).

Best wishes for a new year!

Best regards,

Janine L. Migden-Ostrander