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CONTACT: Kyle DeVine      July 17, 1996   CPUC - 526
         213-897-4225                             (Res T-15934)

                 CPUC APPROVES FIRST LOCAL TOLL EQUAL ACCESS

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
approved a GTE California (GTEC) plan enabling its customers to
use whatever telephone company they want for toll calls within
their service area (LATA) without dialing extra numbers.
    GTEC is the first local exchange company in California to
offer the service which begins in September.
    California has been divided into 11 LATAs - Local Access
Transport Areas (map attached).  For years, customers have been
able to select which carrier they will use for calls between
LATAs.  Now customers may choose which companies they will use
for local service and toll calls within LATAs. Generally toll
calls are those placed to residences or businesses that are 12
miles or more away.
    This local toll service, which the industry refers to as
"intraLATA equal access" or "intraLATA presubscription," offers
the same choice used for long distance calls.  Customers tell
GTEC which company they want to use and are directly connected to
that company so they can automatically use it when dialing
intraLATA toll calls without dialing extra numbers and access
codes.
    For example, before today a directly dialed call from Redondo
Beach to Burbank would go through GTEC; starting in September,
that call can be carried by any company the customer chooses.
    Customers may pick the same company they use for long
distance calls if that company offers intraLATA service, select
another, or continue using GTEC. The first choice is free; GTEC
will bill $4.46 for any changes afterwards.
    The CPUC is permitting GTEC to offer the service on a
provisional basis because the service may need to be changed
based on outcomes of workshops and hearings the Commission is
conducting on intraLATA equal access.
MAP ATTACHED                            -###-