U S West’s Rate Request Is Assaulted

U S West should get little more than half of a proposed rate increase, and none of that should come from residential customers, Washington Assistant Attorney General Rob Manifold said Thursday.

In testimony filed with the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission, Manifold said the phone company should be allowed to collect $37 million covering depreciation of its equipment, but not another $30 million the commission staff has suggested be approved.

If accepted by the three commissioners, who can override staff, the recommendation would add $3 to monthly residential phone bills. Businesses would pay an additional $2 per month.

U S West was seeking $3 per month, which would take the residential bill to $13.50 from $10.50.

“Public Counsel wants service quality standards to be set and met by U S West before any future rate increases are considered,” said Manifold, who works in that section of the Attorney General’s Office.

Steve King, a spokesman for the commission staff, said complaints against U S West involving delays in new service are down, though they remain above pre-1991 levels.

But call blocking persists, he said, in part because Internet use ties up lines for extended periods.

U S West issued a statement accusing Manifold’s office of trying to tear down “a new era of cooperation” between the industry and government with vague criticisms about service quality.

The phone company said Manifold’s recommendation would prevent the opportunity to provide “advanced” telecommunications services.

Washington Citizen Action endorsed Manifold’s filing.

“Customers without a choice should not be the company’s first target for profit,” said Judith Krebs, associate director of the consumer group.

The UTC is expected to issue a decision in January, following public hearings around the state.

A hearing is set for Spokane November 18.

, DataTimes