Editorial - Tulsa World
February 24, 2010
World Editorial writers
Phone Gall!
When the Corporation Commission started out on plans to make all long-distance phone calls inside the state of Oklahoma toll-free, we were dubious. Someone, somewhere would end up paying the bill, we said.
Forgive us for pointing out that we were right.
The commission's staff has come up with a plan to pay for the "free" calls and has revised it, upping the ante. Sure enough, the plan amounts to a cost shift. Instead of people paying for their own calls, the plan would have everyone who uses a phone — including cell phone customers who already have toll-free long distance — pick up the costs.
The current scheme is to add more than $3 to the monthly phone bill of every telephone user in the state — that's more than 7 million phones, including land-lines and cell phones.
And exactly what is the benefit?
Not very much if you live in Tulsa, which already has one of the largest toll-free calling areas in the nation.
The primary beneficiary would be land-line telephone users in the remote parts of the state. They would be able to call friends and business associates in Oklahoma City and Tulsa or anywhere else for free.
Strike that. It's not free, it's just that everyone else would end up paying for it.
The toll-free calling scheme is a waste of time for the commission and a bad deal for most telephone users in Oklahoma. Someone disconnect this line before it goes any farther.
Copyright © 2010, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved
If you would like to 'reach out and touch' the Commissioners on this new tax:
Jeff Cloud, Commissioner (405) 521-2264
Bob Anthony, Commissioner (405) 521-2261
Dana Murphy, Commissioner (405) 521-2267
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