Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 10, 1995                   TAG: 9506120043
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCC SEEKS YOUR IDEAS ON RULES FOR COMPETITIVE PHONE SERVICE

After Jan. 1, a new state law will let the SCC give companies permission to offer competing phone services within what had been the exclusive service territory of existing local phone companies. In Roanoke, that could mean competition for Bell Atlantic Corp.

The SCC has set the minimum requirements that a competitor must meet to protect the affordability and quality of basic telephone service, SCC spokesman Ken Schrad explained.

A new entrant into the local telephone business, for instance, would be required to provide 911 access, a white-pages directory, directory assistance, operator services, equal access to long-distance carriers and access to services for the hearing and speech impaired. Also, consumers would be able to keep their current phone numbers if they don't change locations, regardless of which local phone company they choose.

Introduction of local competition is part of the ongoing deregulation of the telephone business that began with the breakup of AT&T's national monopoly and the introduction of competition in long-distance service. Supporters of competition expect it to reduce rates for local service.

Cox Cable Communications, which operates a cable television system in the Roanoke Valley, already has indicated interest in getting into the local telephone business.

Legal barriers that have kept phone companies from offering other communications services have been coming down both in the courts and in Congress, and Bell Atlantic has begun offering cable television services on a trial basis to customers in Northern Virginia.

Under the SCC plan, once competition becomes fully effective in a local market, prices for service would not be regulated. However, the commission would require providers to supply financial reports so the state could evaluate the effectiveness of the competition.

The commission also could set up a Universal Service Fund with contributions from all local service providers to ensure phone service to qualified low-income consumers at reduced installation charges and lower monthly rates.

Paul Miller, a spokesman for Bell Atlantic, said the company is not prepared yet to comment on the rules, which company officials saw Friday.

Comments on the rules or requests for an SCC hearing must be filed by Aug. 4 with the Clerk of the Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond 23216.