Us West Asks Court To Block Rollback In Phone Rates

US West Communications Inc. has asked a King County Superior Court to block a $91.5 million rate reduction ordered last week by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The company late Monday asked for a stay, which would prevent a $1 rollback in the monthly cost of residential service from going into effect May 1, the date set by the commission.

“We hope that we don’t ever have to implement those rates,” said US West spokeswoman Kathi Willis.

Last week’s ruling ended a lengthy case in which US West had sought the first comprehensive rate overhaul in 13 years.

Its proposal called for ramping residential rates up to as high as $25.35 per month, with offsetting decreases in charges to businesses. But the commission ordered residential rates of $10.50 a month across the board.

The company said the residential increases were necessary to improve its position in an increasingly competitive communications market.

“We don’t take this action lightly,” Vice President Dennis Okamoto said. “But if the WUTC’s order is implemented, it will severely impair our ability to provide quality service.”

US West service was ripped in the commission order. And AT&T Vice President Mark Trierwieler said customer complaints and installation back orders probably had much to do with the commission’s rough handling of the largest provider of local telephone service in Washington.

US West access rates are the highest, and its service quality the lowest, among the Baby Bell companies, he said.

“We think the commission arrived at the right conclusions,” Trierwieler said, adding that he does not expect AT&T to request any changes in the order.

Commission spokeswoman Marilyn Meehan said the appeal was no surprise given US West appeals of past rulings by Washington regulators.

In fact, the appeal includes a request the court force the commission to comply with an earlier decision that faulted commission treatment of depreciation expenses.

, DataTimes