PUC Completes Hearings on PacBell Sales

State regulators wrapped up five days of hearings into allegations that Pacific Bell’s sales methods are misleading and result in customers being signed up for services they do not want or need. At the hearings, held at the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco, PacBell argued that its sales programs don’t mislead customers or violate any rules, that state rules do not require it to provide customers with neutral information about caller ID-blocking options and that customers are happy with the company’s service. Consumer groups and a labor union presented testimony from several customers and PacBell employees to back up their claims. Maribeth Bushey, the PUC administrative law judge presiding over the case, will issue a decision in the coming weeks. The judge’s ruling can be appealed, which would force a decision by the full commission. Under PUC rules, the case must be resolved by early April. If found guilty of any violations, PacBell could be ordered to halt specific practices, pay fines or sanctions, pay reparations to customers or be subject to tighter regulations. In a separate action, the Greenlining Institute and the Latino Issues Forum filed a complaint with the PUC claiming that PacBell hid charges related to its voicemail service for small businesses. The complaint seeks $50 million in restitution and $150 million in fines.