Kentucky telephone companies pushing for option to end basic service
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader
Kentucky's telephone industry wants the option to end basic phone service in less profitable parts of their territories if other communications options, such as cell phones or the Internet, are available in the area.
... But consumer advocates warn that rural communities, the poor and the elderly could be among those left behind if basic phone service disappears.
"For a lot of people in Eastern Kentucky, their land line is their life line," said Cathy Allgood Murphy, AARP Kentucky's associate state director. "They may not be able to afford an Internet connection, and they don't have cell phones because their communities, in the mountains, don't get cell phone reception."
The industry is pushing Senate Bill 135, referred to as "the AT&T bill" by its sponsor and others because it originated with that company's lobbyists. The bill would strip the Kentucky Public Service Commission of most of its remaining oversight of basic phone service provided by the three major carriers — AT&T, Windstream and Cincinnati Bell — such as the power to initiate investigations into service problems.
Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/16/2071948/kentucky-telephone-companies-pushing.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
the Pauls (Rand or Ron) get into office. 
Wake up Kentucky and send McConnell packing too!
