LETTERS: GEOGRAPHICAL AREA CODES WOULD BE BEST

To the editor:

I appreciated your comments on Southwestern Bell's petition to the Public Service Commission (May 21 editorial, "Phone area codes: The customer is always right. Right?") I'm sure Southwestern Bell knows that the proper thing to do is to make a geographical separation for the new area code. However, making an overlay as they suggest is the least expensive for them, but it is the most expensive for the customer. Not only would the consumer have to dial 10 digits, but out-of-town consumers would no longer be able to look up the area code in the phone book. This would result in a lot of operator-assisted calls, much to the financial benefit of Southwestern Bell. We should resist the overlay plan and insist that Southwestern Bell do the right thing. It will be many years before 10-digit dialing will be a necessity. Keep encouraging your readers to write the Public Service Commission to let them know that geographical separation is the proper way to go.

VICTOR BRANT

vbrant@delphi.com