Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Media Center

Windstream increases prices of some local telephone features

COLUMBUS, Ohio – September 17, 2007 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, would like to alert local telephone customers of Windstream Ohio and Windstream Western Reserve of price increases for several commonly-used services. The increases are permitted without review by state regulators after the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) allowed the companies to operate under “elective alternative regulation” rules.

This is the third set of increases Windstream has implemented since it was granted elective alternative regulation by the PUCO in October 2004. Elective alternative regulation allows local telephone companies to raise their rates for commonly-used features while agreeing to cap the rates of basic local service and basic Caller ID.

Windstream customers, who have few choices in alternative telephone providers, now will see additional rate increases for several services.

The chart below illustrates rate increases for some of the more commonly-used services.

Feature	Monthly rate before elective alternative regulation	Monthly rate after last increase (2005)	New increased monthly rate
Call Forwarding	$1.50	$3	$3.99
Three-way Calling	$1.50	$3	$3.99
Call Return (*69)	$3.25	$4	$4.99

Services such as Enhanced Call Waiting, Caller ID on Call Waiting and Speed Call also increased in price. The monthly price for a package of Windstream features including Call Forward, Enhanced Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling and 8-Number Speed Call increased from $4.95 to $6.95.

In addition, customers using some features on a per-use basis will see higher prices. The charges for Call Return (*69), Repeat Dial, Three-Way Calling and Call Forward increased from 95 cents to $1.25 per use.

The increases went into effect September 10.

“Windstream customers using these services are encouraged to review their monthly bills and evaluate their telephone needs, especially given these higher rates,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers' Counsel. “We believe it is unfortunate and unfair that these customers will see higher rates without having alternative choices for telephone service.”

In 2004, the OCC opposed Windstream’s ability to raise the rates of commonly-used telephone services because of the lack of competition in its service area.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.