PUC Needs to Take Critical Look at Fee

Not many years ago, directory assistance was provided free of charge as a public service included in the basic charge for telephone service. That is the way it should be, considering that the provision of directory assistance enables customers to make calls that generate revenue for Pacific Bell.

“PacBell Seeks OK to Charge $1.10 as 411 Fee” [Aug. 20] is only the latest evidence that Pacific Bell’s new credo is to gouge its customers for everything the California Public Utility Commission will approve, and the past willingness of the PUC to approve these unwarranted requests by PacBell makes it appear that the PUC is the handmaiden of PacBell rather than the regulatory authority over it.

Directory assistance is presently billed at 25 cents per request after an initial two free requests per month. PacBell has applied to increase the rate for directory assistance to 50 cents per request.

What possible justification can there be for doubling the charges for directory assistance requests to 50 cents? Pacific Bell’s costs have not doubled. The consumer price index has not doubled since the 25-cent rate was initiated. PacBell’s operations have continuously grown more efficient thanks to the economies of new technologies, yet our phone bills for local service keep going up.

Not only did PacBell apply to the PUC on May 5 for an increase from 25 cents to 50 cents for directory assistance requests, its application also included a request for “pricing flexibility” consisting of authority for PacBell to further increase the directory assistance charges to $1.10 upon nothing more than 30 days’ notice to the PUC.

It is time for the PUC to begin representing the public interest by scrutinizing, regulating and rolling back PacBell’s exorbitant rates. For starters, the PUC should deny Pacific Bell’s application to increase directory assistance rates and for “pricing flexibility.”

NORMAN HARRITON

Los Angeles