It doesn’t impact customers who have Lifeline, a service for qualified low-income people, or who have phone service as part of a bundle in Bell’s traditional territory, said spokeswoman Lisa McLaughlin.
Butler County communities in the traditional territory include Fairfield, Hamilton, Reily Twp., Seven Mile, Shandon and West Chester Twp., McLaughlin said. She said customers who have phone service in a bundle in Middletown, Monroe, Oxford and Trenton could be affected.
Impacted customers were notified beginning in February by messages about the price change in their bills, she said. The telephone company is required to give 30 days notice.
The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Council put out a release Tuesday to alert customers who might not have known of the price change, said Marty Berkowitz, a council spokesman. AT&T increased prices the same amount in January, according to the council. According to the consumers’ council, price changes mean the following:
• Fairfield rates go from $21.95 per month to $23.20;
• Hamilton prices go from $22.95 to $24.20; and
• Reily Twp., Seven Mile and Shandon prices go from $18.95 to $20.20.
Cincinnati Bell applied for the rate increase Dec. 22, said Matt Butler, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio spokesman.
Under state legislation, the commission has to grant requests as long as two competitors for phone service exist, landline or wireless, Butler said.
If the commission does not say there are outstanding requirements within 30 days, the request is automatically approved.
In Cincinnati Bell’s case, he said it was approved Jan. 21.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or clevingston@coxohio.com.
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