Editorial

PSC SHOULD BACK TELEPHONE CALLING PLAN

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Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.'s plan to offer a long-distance calling option at a flat monthly fee within the 573 area code would mean substantial savings to many of its customers.

The monthly fee for what would be called Local Plus would be $30 for residential customers and $60 for commercial customers. At those prices, customers within the 573 area code of eastern Missouri could place an unlimited number of calls in the area stretching from approximately St. Louis to the north; Versailles, Camdenton and Fort Leonard Wood to the west; and the Arkansas line to the south.

Customers would opt for the plan based on the number of long-distance calls they make each month within the 573 area code. Bell's residential customers who make only a few calls of short duration wouldn't want it, but those who make a lot of calls would really benefit by paying only $30 monthly. Likewise, businesses that rely heavily on the telephone would see tremendous savings by paying only $60 a month.

The company has asked the Missouri Public Service Commission to allow it to implement Local Plus. The PSC is expected to make a decision this month. With PSC approval, the program could be put into effect late this year.

Local Plus comes in response to the many customers who have said they need a break in the cost of long-distance calls within the 573 area code, particularly those who must make calls to places that are only a few miles away. A typical example is that of a Benton woman whose predicament was reported in the Southeast Missourian. Her family made frequent calls to places like Oran and Kelso, which are only a few miles away, but her monthly bill for those calls exceeded $100.

The Public Service Commission is getting a lot of heat from lawmakers over its recent decision to do away with a more localized long-distance discount program that is available upon customer request. The PSC says it stymies long-distance competition. Lawmakers argue there is no competition.

The PSC should allow Southwestern Bell to implement Local Plus. Seldom does a plan come along that would provide such significant benefits to so many Bell customers.