Nevada Bell customers to receive $32 credits under proposed deal

The credits would appear on phone bills within the next several months if the deal is approved by the PUC in June. Nevada Bell serves much of Nevada north of Las Vegas.

The proposal, filed by PUC staff, Nevada Bell and the Attorney General's office, also would cap Nevada Bell rates for residential and business lines at their current monthly levels of $10.75 and $22 respectively until December 2001.

And the deal would provide 60 percent discounts for basic telephone service to low-income customers.

The package totals $29.4 million worth of credits and rural service improvements, said Sharon Thomas, director of regulatory operations for the PUC staff.

"We believe it's a win-win situation for Bell and its customers," she said, adding the proposal is designed to settle several open cases before the PUC relating to Nevada Bell's earnings and rural service.

The deal calls for $5.3 million worth of rural improvements in eight areas of northern Nevada and $4.3 millon for infrastructure improvements in other rural areas.

The eight targeted areas are Pinto Creek, Imlay, Cherry Creek, Big Smoky Valley, Ward Charcoal Ovens, Lund, Railroad Valley and Izzenhood.

Under the proposal, the rural service upgrades must all be completed by December 2001.

Although PUC staff members are recommending approval of the package, the commission will take final action.

The package also is being endorsed by Nevada Bell, the AG's office and the Utility Consumer Advocate.

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