PSC to make decision on Sprint call hike request

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1997 | 11:04 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Sprint, the local phone company, wants to charge Las Vegans more for directory assistance calls.

Currently, customers get two free directory assistance calls each month, with subsequent information calls costing 35 cents each; Sprint wants to increase the charge on subsequent directory assistance calls to 45 cents.

Hearings start today before the state Public Service Commission on Sprint's application.

Sprint also wants to start charging 45 cents for directory assistance from pay telephones, which until now have been free. In addition, the application wants to reduce the rates it charges the private vendors that own these pay telephones.

The telephone company says this will not generate any more revenue for it. But the staff of the commission complains the utility is shifting more costs on the consumer while reducing the amount collected from the private firms that own these pay telephones.

Sprint suggests that it is in competition with eight other companies in Southern Nevada and it must lower its rates to stay competitive.

Commissioner Tim Hay, the presiding officer in the case, said the hearing may be concluded in one day but Friday has been set aside if it goes longer. A decision must be made by Oct. 15, he said.

Rick Hackman, manager of consumer relations for the commission, said the staff feels Sprint is "picking on the captive customers who can't go anywhere else" to get telephone directory information.

The staff, he said, "does not believe the commission's rules entitle the company to a rate increase of this magnitude," and this hike "is not warranted.

The state Office of the Consumer Advocate has filed notice it will also intervene in the case.

The hearing will start at 9 a.m. in the commission offices at 555 East Washington Ave., in Las Vegas.