CCC PPPPP U U CCC N N EEEEE W W W SSS C C P p U U C C NN N E W W W S S C P P U U C N N N E W W W S C PPPPP U U C N N N EEE W W W W SSS C P U U C N N N E WW WW S C C P U U C C N NN E W W S S CCC P UUUU CCC N N EEEEE W W SSS California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 5301 San Francisco, CA 94102 CONTACT: Dianne Dienstein December 2, 1996 CPUC - 92 415-703-2423 CPUC WORKSHOP TO SET UP LIFELINE PHONE SERVICE MARKETING GROUP Meetings to set up a Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Marketing Working Group recently established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will be: Tuesday, December 10, 1996 Wednesday, December 11, 1996 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES State Building Pacific Bell 505 Van Ness Avenue 1010 Wilshire Blvd. Auditorium First Floor Auditorium In its October 25, 1996 order establishing new rules to assure continued availability of affordable residential basic phone service everywhere in the state - universal service - as the telecommunications market becomes more competitive, the Commission charged an independent group with making sure qualified residential consumers know about the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS) option. The ULTS program provides qualified low-income customers with a 50 percent discounted rate for basic phone service. The ULTS Marketing Working Group will assist the Commission in developing a budget for statewide marketing strategies for the ULTS program, develop competitively neutral marketing strategies, and oversee statewide marketing campaigns. - more - The ULTS Marketing Working Group is planned to have 12 members, three from large and medium local phone companies, three from long distance companies or companies competing with local phone companies, three from consumer or public interest groups, one from a small local phone company, one from a wireless company, and the director of the CPUC Consumer Services Division or his designee. The purposes of the December 10 and 11 workshops are to determine who is interested in serving on the Marketing Working Group, and to discuss its goals, purpose, and organizational framework. All telecommunications utilities regulated by the Commission, consumer and public interest groups, and the public are invited to attend either session. Anyone who plans to attend is asked to call Zenaida Conway at 415-703-2005, Jonathan Lakritz at 415-703- 2117, or Simin Litkouhi at 415-703-1522. Direct questions or inquiries seeking additional information to Zenaida Conway. The workshops are accessible to people with disabilities. If a sign language interpreter or other specialized accommodations are needed, call the CPUC Public Advisor no later than December 5, 1996 at 415-703-2074 or TDD# 415-703-2032. ###