Phone Plan Decision Looms In Three Towns

Residents of Pullman, Garfield and Palouse have until July 9 to select one of four telephone calling plans, including one that will offer unlimited toll-free service among the Whitman County communities for a fixed charge.

The balloting, approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission in March, is the first of its kind in the state.

Bruce Rowton, GTE Pullman-area manager, said local options usually force everyone to pay higher rates to offset lost long-distance revenues.

The ballot gives residents and businesses four choices. The rates vary for each community, depending on the number of out-of-town customers they can access using the new system.

GTE has a total of 133,500 customers in the three communities.

The plan takes effect July 26.

, DataTimes