CPUC Expands, Protects Phone Services for Low-Income CaliforniansPriya Sawhneybyline‚ Jan. 08‚ 2013After hearing from low-income tenants and their advocates, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has unanimously voted to maintain and expand basic phone services. The December 20, 2012 action means that SRO tenants with cellphones will no longer have to go outside to make calls because carriers were not providing service in rooms. And if their service falters, they can change carriers at no charge. Led by community leaders from the Central City SRO Collaborative (CCSRO) and the Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) along with The Utility Reform Network (TURN), activists’ have been attending CPUC hearings for months in order to win support for high quality, reliable, and affordable basic phone services. Their efforts prevailed. |