Telephone Disconnection Rule

A Texas Public Utility Commission rule allowed a local telephone company to deny local service to a consumer who owes a debt to a long distance carrier. Eight percent of Texas households do not have a telephone. Most of these consumers can afford local telephone service but cannot pay off the long distance debt. CEJ sought and obtained a new rule to require telephone companies to offer local service (only) to these consumers.

Our legal analysis is contained in our memorandum to the Public Utility Commission.