NILES Council to consider supporting SBC plan

Struthers council members are considering similar resolutions.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NILES -- City council members agreed to introduce resolutions at their next meeting supporting a plan by SBC Ameritech to begin offering local telephone service in the Mahoning Valley.
Stephen M. Kristan, director of external affairs for SBC Ameritech, addressed council Wednesday night about the legislation, which would be presented as part of the company's bid to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Federal Communications Commission for authority to provide the local service.
While the legislation is not required by PUCO or the FCC, it would give more support to SBC's bid, Kristan said. Locally, Struthers city officials are considering similar legislation, as is Cleveland.
Officials in Columbus have already approved the resolutions, he said. SBC representatives plan to address other local councils in the coming weeks.
Kristan explained how the 1996 Telecom Act allowed for more competition in the telephone industry, allowing long-distance companies to provide local service, and local companies to provide long-distance. The move was designed to allow for greater competition in all markets, he said.
Currently, 22 states have the procedure in place, but Ohio has yet to join in, he said.
Savings questioned
Some council members questioned why it would be beneficial to residents, because companies such as First Communications can already provide local and long-distance service in the city.
"I looked at what First Communications could provide me against SBC, and the savings were significant," said Councilman Robert Marino. "Why shouldn't we look at them?"
Kristan said if SBC were allowed to compete for both services locally, it would make for fair competition, and rates could go even lower for SBC.
"We can't compete right now because we can't sell long-distance," he said.
He also noted that under the Telecom Act, local companies were required to allow other companies to use their lines to provide the service, which means lower operating costs for those companies.
slshaulis@vindy.com