Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

January 2010 - Effective Jan. 4, 2010, AT&T's local toll per-minute rates increased as follows:

• Day rates - Increased from 37 cents to 39 cents
• Evening rates - Increased from 33 cents to 35 cents
• Night/Weekend rates - Increased from 31 cents to 33 cents

In addition, effective Feb. 1, 2010, AT&T's monthly fee for certain local toll services will increase as follows:

• Saver Pack 200 - Increasing from $22 to $24
• Anytime Rate plan - Increasing from $4 to $6
• Area Wide Calling - Increasing from $7 to $9
• Econo-Call Service - Increasing from $4 to $6
• Peak/Off-Peak plan - Increasing from $4 to $6
• Neighborhood Select - Increasing from $4 to $6
• Saver Pack 60 - Increasing from $12.50 to $14
• Saver Pack 120 - Increasing from $18 to $20

January 2010 - According to Business First of Columbus, consumers should be cautious of calls from telemarketers claiming to represent the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Central Ohio office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana says it does not engage in telemarketing and has received complaints from Columbus-area residents.

November 2009 - According to Business First of Columbus, Vonage and 32 states have settled a complaint based on the Internet-based telephone provider's cancellation policies. A $3 million settlement announced by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray requires Vonage to refund money to certain customers who filed complaints.

September 2009 - A ban on prerecorded sales messages without a customer's written consent has taken effect. According to a Plain Dealer article, the Federal Trade Commission responded to consumer complaints about these calls, also known as "robocalls." Telemarketers violating the ban could be fined up to $16,000 per call. Consumer complaints can be made through www.donotcall.gov or 1-888-382-1222.

August 2009 - The merger of two local telephone providers, CenturyTel and Embarq, means that customers will see a new name emerge for the combined companies. CenturyLink is now the corporate name, but customers will likely see the logos of both the original companies on their bills until later this year. According to the companies, customers are being notified of the merger through bill messages in the July and August bills. Other changes will eventually include a new account number for CenturyTel customers and a new mailing address for payments. If customers have questions, they can contact their local telephone provider at the telephone number listed on their monthly bill.

July 2009 - Access to high-speed Internet service brought more than $32 billion in benefits to customers nationwide last year, according to a Washington Business Journal article citing research commissioned by the Internet Innovation Alliance. According to the news report, "Consumers find benefits from broadband in the areas of education, health care, work, news, communication, entertainment and civic affairs."

July 2009 - AT&T has increased the monthly price of call waiting from $5.98 to $6.50. This increase will not affect customers with a local calling package that includes call waiting. In addition, the company has increased the monthly price of its Complete Choice Basic Package from $21 to $23.

July 2009 - Verizon has increased the monthly rates of several calling features for customers that subscribe to them outside of a package that bundles together several features. Verizon is able to increase its prices since it was granted "elective alternative regulation" by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in 2006. Elective alternative regulation permits companies like Verizon to increase the rates of telephone features such as Call Waiting and Three-Way Calling as well as the prices of packages that typically include basic local service and several features.

Below is the list of the rate increases effective June 30: