*** PUBLIC MEETINGS ON ISDN PRICING IN MARYLAND ***


The Rockville Meeting has been Rescheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 1997--Details Below


The Maryland ISDN rate case in which the Consumer Project on Technology has been participating for the past several months recently concluded the hearing stage. Now you get your turn -- the public will have an important final opportunity to make its voice heard in favor of reasonably priced ISDN. Two meetings will be held and the Hearing Examiner whom will make the initial decision in this case, Robert McGowan, will be present to listen to the public's views.

CPT's MAIN POINTS

In the MD ISDN rate case, CPT has been advocating for a simple Flat Rate or a Virtual Flat Rate (capped at 200 hours of 1B usage; 100 hours of 2B) for residential consumers--rather than Bell Atlantic's *7* rate pack options which we believe are confusing, cumbersome, and penalize over- and under-utilization of the pre-paid blocks of usage.

The MD Staff Counsel has basically sided with Bell Atlantic on the pricing of ISDN. The MD Office of People's Counsel, however, has advocated a $29 per month flat rate. CPT believes that this is a bit high. We think that a flat rate or a virtual flat rate should be in the range of $20-$25 per month. This rate would make Bell Atlantic's rates comparable to the rates charged by Ameritech (4 states), Bellsouth-Tennessee, PacBell, and others.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

A few issues are of particular importance to the Commission. Among the most important is the type of pricing proposal that consumers prefer. Whether consumers favor full measured usage or Bell Atlantic's call pack options when compared to a flat or virtual flat rate is a key issue and should be addressed in your oral or written comments. Additional background on this and other issues can be found at CPT's Bell Atlantic ISDN Action page and general ISDN Page:

CPT's ISDN Action Page

CPT's General ISDN Page


BALTIMORE MEETING -- JANUARY 8

A public meeting will be held at the MD Public Service Commission at 7:30 p.m, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD. For persons interested in speaking at the meeting, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, registration will begin at 7:00 p.m.

ROCKVILLE MEETING -- JANUARY 29

A public meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Third Floor Council Hearing Room, Montgomery County Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD. For persons interested in speaking at the meeting, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, registration will begin at 7:00 p.m.

FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS

Written and Email Comments

CPT strongly suggests that interested people come to the meeting. This is by far the most effective way to meaningfully express your views. Written comments, however, will also be accepted at the following address

Daniel P Gahagan, Executive Secretary
Attn: Case No. 8730
Maryland Public Service Commission
6 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-6806

No deadline has been established yet but we recommend that you get your comments in by mid-January at the latest.

Email Comments may also be made to the following address:

Comments to the MD PSC <ISDN@psc.state.md.us>.


Back to
CPT's Bell Atlantic ISDN Action Page
or
CPT's General ISDN Page