Ohio Consumer Groups Seek AT&T Lifeline Promise
Consumer advocates urged the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to deny an AT&T petition to give up eligible telecom carrier designation unless the carrier promises that all consumers can get Lifeline service from alternative wireless ETCs. “AT&T Ohio is…
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the only wireline telephone company that provides basic local exchange service to consumers in its Ohio service territory,” Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and two other consumer groups said in reply comments Friday in case 21-917-TP-UNC. “Elimination of reliable and affordable Lifeline will harm low-income consumers who face such risks as poverty and food insecurity, especially in this era of the COVID pandemic.” Consumer groups repeat old arguments, replied AT&T: PUCO must “stay the course and grant” AT&T’s petition, subject to the carrier’s commitment to give any customer left behind a monthly $5.25 credit for up to one year. AT&T last month urged PUCO not to adopt a staff recommendation to partly deny the petition (see 2203210041).