Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Changes in Ohio Telecommunications Regulation

Updated November 2010

The bill described below was signed by Governor Ted Strickland in June 2010 and went into effect September 13, 2010.

Residential consumers who use landline telephone service will be affected by a new law that deregulates major aspects of Ohio’s telephone industry. The new law, Substitute Senate Bill 162 (S.B. 162), was signed by Gov. Ted Strickland in June 2010 and went into effect Sept. 13, 2010.

Throughout the S.B. 162 legislative process, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) and numerous advocacy organizations worked vigorously on behalf of Ohio's residential consumers. The consumer groups advocated that further deregulation of the industry, sought by major telephone companies and other special interests, should not leave consumers with diminished telephone services at higher prices.

Although the new law retains some safeguards for customers, the consumer protections are much weaker than Ohioans had in the past. OCC encourages consumers to contact its office to describe their experiences with their landline telephone company under the new law.

With the passage of the new telecommunications law, Senate Bill 162:

• Allows annual rate increases of $1.25 for the monthly price for basic local service for Ohio's landline telephone companies, who can show at least minimal competition exists;

• Allows bills of low-income Lifeline customers' who subscribe to basic local service to increase beginning in January, 2012; and

• Weakens or removes consumer protections in important areas such as customer credits, billing, deposits and reconnection standards for customers with packages or bundles of telephone service.

Legislative Review Process

The new law establishes a committee of eight members, including a representative from the OCC, to study the impact of the law. The committee will issue its report by Sept. 13, 2014. The OCC urges consumers to forward information concerning the effects of the new law on them to its office to be considered as part of its review.

Additionally, the OCC continues to urge consumers to contact their legislators and let them know how this law impacts them.

Call 1-800-282-0253 to find out who your legislators are or visit www.house.state.oh.us/ and www.ohiosenate.gov.

Consumers can mail a letter to their state representative’s attention by using this address:

The Honorable (fill in the name of your representative)
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215-6111

Consumers can mail a letter to their state senator’s attention by using this address:

The Honorable (fill in the name of your senator)
Statehouse, Senate Building
Columbus, OH 43215

For more information, consumers can refer to the documents below or contact the OCC at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free.

OCC has had to cancel many of its services, including its consumer call center, due to recent budget cuts. We realize you may continue to need assistance with your utility services. OCC's website provides free access to publications and resources.

You may seek assistance with utility complaints from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio: 800-686-7826. For complaints about non-utility related services, you may call the Ohio Attorney General at 800-282-0515.