TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
<i> Times Staff and Wire Reports</i>
FCC Moves to Expand Access to Phones: The Federal Communications Commission, in a 5-0 vote, proposed ways to reduce obstacles that prevent those who want phone service from being able to afford it and to help those who already have service to keep it. The plan identifies possible alternatives for reconnecting subscribers who were cut off for failing to pay long-distance charges. The FCC said it is considering whether to prohibit local phone companies from disconnecting local service for non-payment of long-distance charges. The agency is weighing whether to require carriers to waive or reduce security deposits for low-income subscribers if they agree to limits on their long-distance calls.
