Contacts: Gary Pace
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Contacts: Gary Pace |
MICHIGAN
PAYPHONE TRADE GROUP'S STATEMENT ON AMERITECH'S PLAN
TO INCREASE THE LOCAL COIN RATE
The
Michigan Pay Telephone Association (MPTA) - a non- profit 501(c)(6) trade
association representing independent payphone service providers (PSP's) in
Michigan- today reacted to the announcement that Ameritech intends to increase
the local coin rates at payphones throughout Michigan from 35 cents to 50 cents
by September 2001.
In
response to this announcement, Gary Pace, managing director, issued this
statement on behalf of the MPTA board of directors:
"We
are very disappointed that Ameritech and SBC Communications chose to address
their operational problems through another rate increase, when a more consumer
friendly alternative is available.”
“The
MPTA believes raising local coin rates at payphones is not the answer to
maintain widespread deployment
of pay telephones, one of the key legislative mandates of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996. Rate increases for local coin calls will not increase
payphone usage. Conversely, we expect a rate increase will ultimately
drive traffic patterns downward. As an alternative to increasing local
coin rates, Ameritech has the option of decreasing the rates for dial tone
service to payphones in their service area. Rates for these services in
Michigan are among the highest in the Ameritech and SBC regions."
“Lowering the
rates charged to pay telephone providers for access to the public network would
allow payphone providers a better opportunity to hold the line on local coin
rate increases. Also, a more cost-based rate allows more payphone
locations to be served. MPTA believes this approach would be the most
beneficial to the consumers throughout Ameritech's region in Michigan."
“The
local payphone provides an important lifeline service to communities through out
the state. We applaud Ameritech's
goal of keeping payphones available to the public throughout their region.
Just as important, however, is keeping local calling rates as affordable
as possible to the thousands of residents who rely upon payphones everyday for
business, personal and emergency services.”
The MPTA is a
non-profit trade association representing independent payphone service providers
throughout Michigan. MPTA provides
legislative and regulatory representation for approximately 70
payphone service providers and over 15 manufacturers and suppliers to the
payphone industry. The goals are to
promote an environment in which all PSPs are able to compete fairly and
efficiently. MPTA is one of the oldest and most active pay telephone associations
in the country and are a member of the national payphone trade association The
American Public Communications Council (APCC).
To learn more about MPTA, check out their website at http://www.michiganpay.org.