Projo Biz Blog

WARWICK, R.I. -- Verizon's residential customers are going to be paying more for some land line phone services, beginning in June.

The Public Utilities Commission Friday morning approved higher rates for various call waiting, call forwarding, multi-call, and speed-dialing services.

There was little discussion. The commission has been taking a hands-off approach to Verizon rates, believing that intense competition with Cox Communications is keeping charges low.

Most of the increases are on the order of 25 cents or 50 cents per month.

Under the approved plan, the monthly rates will be $4 for busy redial, $4.50 for basic speed dialing, and $5.50 for call forwarding and for three-way calling, all increases of 50 cents. The new prices will be $6 for basic call waiting and $9 for basic caller ID, up 25 cents from the current rates.

The biggest increase is a nearly-doubling of the $1 fee, to $1.99, for being part of Verizon's Sensible Minutes plan, which sets a flat 10-cent-per-minute charge for regional toll calls. PUC Chairman Germani said that increase was substantial, but Verizon is losing money in Rhode Island.

gemery@projo.com / (401) 277-7442

 Tags  economy public utilities Rhode Island Verizon

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