CenturyTel basic phone rates drop

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- CenturyTel of Missouri's basic phone rates will drop starting Saturday, the Public Service Commission said Thursday, but costs for other services such as call waiting will rise. Basic monthly residential rates will drop by 20 to 24 cents a month, depending on a customer's rate plan. Current rates range from $9.13 a month to $11.04 a month.

Business customers' rates will drop by 33 to 41 cents a month depending on the plan. Current business rates range from $15.37 a month to $19.21 a month.

Costs for other services such as call waiting and directory services will rise as much as 5 percent, the commission said.

CenturyTel has about 96 local phone markets in the state.