Press Release

    Harrisburg, Pa. - The Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled hearings in two communities to receive public comment on the proposal of The United Telephone Company of Pennsylvania’s plan for streamlined regulation and network modernization.

    Administrative Law Judge Louis G. Cocheres will hold the sessions in:

    - Chambersburg on January 5, 1999 at 7 p.m. at the Quality Inn and Suites, 1095 Wayne Avenue.

    - Butler on January 7, 1999 at 7 p.m. at the Butler County Community College on College Drive (Oak Hills).

    Testimony given under oath would become part of the record on which the PUC would base its decision in the case.

    The proposal was filed under Act 67 of 1993 (Chapter 30) which provides for regulatory reform and modernization of the state’s telecommunications industry. The law is designed to facilitate deployment of an advanced telecommunications network and lower prices through competition. Under Chapter 30, local exchange companies can ask the PUC to approve an alternative form of rate regulation.

    The company must commit, however, to a network modernization plan. The network modernization plan provides for system-wide broadband availability by the year 2015. A broadband network is capable of voice, data, imaging and video transmission.

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