ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180072
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
LOCAL DIALING EQUALITY would permit customers to use any designated long-distance company for long-distance calls within a region without having to dial a special number first.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission is considering proposals by six telephone companies that want to compete more equally for customers' short-distance toll calls.
At issue is a plan to provide dialing equality for long distance calls placed within the state's six regional calling areas, commonly referred to as LATAs.
The calling area around Roanoke, for example, extends from Roanoke to Wythe County and Martinsville to Monterey and also includes an unconnected wedge at the far southwestern corner of the state from Lebanon to Cumberland Gap.
Currently long-distance calls within a LATA are handled by the telephone company that also provides local service. To place those calls a customer normally dials 1 plus the local area code and a phone number.
The SCC began allowing long-distance competition within LATAs in October 1995 but for phone customers to place calls through a carrier other than the local phone company they have had to dial a special access number.
If local dialing equality is established, customers could use any designated long-distance company for long-distance calls within a region without having to dial a special number first. They could designate an intra-regional long-distance carrier in the same way they can now pick an inter-regional carrier.
The new federal telecommunications law requires that the ease of dialing long-distance calls without a special access number be offered all over the country within two years, by Feb. 8, 1999.
However, if a local phone company such as Bell Atlantic Corp. wants to get into the interstate or inter-LATA long-distance business before then, it must already provide dialing equity for long-distance calls made within the borders of its LATAs.
Virginia has 20 local phone companies, but 15 new companies have received state approval to compete with them to provide local phone service.
The six companies that have made proposals to the state for easy dialing are: Bell Atlantic, GTE, Sprint-United, Sprint Centel, TCG-Virginia, and MFS Intelnet.
The regulatory agency is seeking comments on their proposals. To be considered, the SCC must receive comments on the dialing plans by Feb. 28. Mail them to the Clerk of the Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond 23218.
Also, copies of the plans may be obtained by calling (804) 371-9420. The SCC case number is PUC970009.
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