IURC APPROVES AMERITECH SERVICE QUALITY SETTLEMENT

Today the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved a settlement between Ameritech, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Inc. and United Senior Action of Indiana that addresses service quality concerns the Commission had with Ameritech in the year 2000.

In Cause No. 41911, the Commissioners agree that it is in the best interest of the public to approve the agreement, which means that Ameritech will spend an additional $5 million on customer credits, an additional $3 million on infrastructure and $500,000 for a third party review.

The settlement agreement has three main elements:

Bill credits for customers affected by service quality issues in the year from January 1 – December 31, 2000. These credits are in addition to the $2-million already paid by Ameritech Indiana.

*Residential customers who were without service 24-48 hours will receive a $12 credit.

*Residential customers who were without service 48-72 hours will receive a $35 credit.

*Residential customers who were without service more than 72 hours will receive an additional $20

credit for each additional day after 72 hours.

*Business customers who were without service 24-48 hours will receive a $40 credit.

*Business customers who were without service 48-72 hours will receive a $120 credit.

*Business customers who were without service more than 72 hours will receive an additional $40

credit for each additional day over 72-hours.

The calculation of the number of hours of the out-of-service condition does not include any of the time during which an exception or exclusion provided under the applicable standard applies.

Additional infrastructure investment commitments beyond those previously agreed upon in OI 2000.

*Ten additional wire centers will have DSL service available no later than December 31,

2003.

An independent, third party review of actions taken by Ameritech Indiana to address the service quality problems in the year 2000.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will also open sub-docket 41911 S-1, as part of this cause to verify and monitor the third party review process. The Commission will resolve any disputes or unresolved issues that might arise as the result of the third party report.

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