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 City of Hermosa Beach --- 04-13-99
WHEREAS, SBC/Pac Bell has applied to the California Public Utilities Commission for permission to increase the charge of a local directory assistance call from $0.25 up to a $1.10. This is a 340% increase. In addition, SBC/Pac Bell is asking to raise the rate of an emergency break through call from $1.00 to $5.00; and,
WHEREAS, public safety agencies such as police, fire and paramedic services frequently use local directory assistance and emergency interrupt services, this would create a tremendous financial burden for these government agencies; and,
WHEREAS, the affect of these increases would dramatically impact the elderly, those with physical disabilities and low income households and only those with physical disabilities that file an exemption with SBC/Pac Bell would be exempted; and,
WHEREAS, SBC/Pac Bell controls over 97% of the local service markets it serves; and,
WHEREAS, unlike long distance information services, by virtue of SBC/Pac Bell's monopoly there is no competitor that has as accurate and up-to-date information as SBC/Pac Bell; and,
WHEREAS, most consumers associate local directory assistance with the numbers 411 not any other dial around number;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach strongly opposes SBC/Pac Bell's application for these excessive rate increases. We furthermore encourage SBC/Pac Bell to withdraw its application until a time when consumers have a competitive choice for their local services.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 13th day of April, 1999.
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