THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180445
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Cape Charles should be added to the local dialing area of Bell Atlantic-Virginia customers in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, a regulatory-hearing examiner has recommended.
Glenn P. Richardson of the State Corporation Commission made his recommendation even though the change would increase dramatically basic monthly rates for phone users in Cape Charles, which is on the Eastern Shore.
Individual calls between Cape Charles and South Hampton Roads would be toll-free, and 1-804 would no longer have to be dialed.
However, in return for that convenience and the greater no-toll zone, Cape Charles customers would have to pay higher basic monthly rates for their service from Bell Atlantic - 42 percent higher for residences, 72 percent higher for businesses. That works out to monthly increases of $4.21 and $22.19, respectively.
While Cape Charles residents have been sharply divided over the issue, Richardson pointed out in his report Wednesday that most of those speaking at recent public hearings favored the plan.
The Bell Atlantic proposal now goes to the three-member corporation commission for a final decision.
It hasn't indicated when it will decide the case. by CNB