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Corporation Commission Studies State-Wide Toll-Free Calling

AARP Oklahoma will be representing consumers as the Oklahoma Corporation Commission considers a proposal that would make Oklahoma the first state in the nation to establish a state-wide toll-free calling area.

The Corporation Commission in late December directed staff to work on a proposed rule change. 

Proponents of the idea, including independent telephone providers, say an unlimited statewide calling plan would attract new business to the state and help people, particularly in rural areas, call doctors or legislators without paying long-distance charges.

Opponents fear an unlimited state-wide calling area would result in increased fees to landline telephone customers.

Oklahoma and Tulsa both have  some of the largest extended local calling areas in the country – everything within about a 35-mile radius of those respective cities is a local telephone call. Enid and Lawton have smaller local calling areas.

Corporation Commission staff is working on an analysis of how much the proposed change might cost.

A public hearing on the proposed rulemaking will be held March 29, 2010 at 9:30 am in Courtroom 301 at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in Oklahoma City.

Share your opinion on the issue by contacting the Oklahoma Corporation Commission at: (405)521-2211 in the Oklahoma City area or (918) 581-2296 in the Tulsa area.