Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Contact: Ryan Lippe
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Ohio Consumers’ Counsel calls for rejection of Cincinnati Bell’s increased directory assistance charge

COLUMBUS, Ohio – April 2, 2009 – A nearly 15 percent increase in Cincinnati Bell’s directory assistance charge results in an unfair practice against the telephone company’s customers. The increase should be rejected by state regulators, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said today in a filing at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

The OCC believes the significant rate increase is not in the public interest, especially in light of a January 7 PUCO decision that limited the distribution of Cincinnati Bell’s residential white pages directory.

“On the heels of gaining PUCO approval to no longer provide the white pages except by request, Cincinnati Bell has now raised directory assistance by 15 percent,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander. “It is not in the public interest to allow a nearly 15 percent rate increase to a service that consumers will likely need to use more often.”

On March 17, Cincinnati Bell increased the price of its directory assistance from $1.49 to $1.75 per use. Increases to directory assistance and prices for many other telephone services are permitted without automatic review by state regulators. Rules established by the PUCO allow these types of increases to be suspended if the PUCO determines they are not in the public interest or violate its rules and regulations.

Since 2005, the price of Cincinnati Bell’s directory assistance has increased 157 percent. In early 2005, the company charged 61 cents per use. In November 2005, the price increased to $1.25. Less than 18 months later, the company again increased the charge to $1.49.

In January 2009 and over the objections of the OCC, the PUCO allowed Cincinnati Bell to no longer automatically provide a printed white pages directory to every residential customer. Instead, consumers must either go to a Cincinnati Bell retail outlet or contact the company to request delivery. Cincinnati Bell does make free directory assistance available on its Web site. But, as the OCC pointed out, that option is not available to many thousands of Cincinnati Bell customers who may not have a computer or Internet access.

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 Web site at www.pickocc.org.