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Qwest will alter fees in Rogue Valley Many Rogue Valley phone customers will see their monthly extended area service fees reduced on Jan. 1, while Gold Hill, Jacksonville and Rogue River will see a slight increase. The changes result from Oregon Public Utilities Commission action on Friday as part of the $64.2 million annual reduction in Qwest Corp. revenues. Ashland, Central Point, Medford and Phoenix Qwest customers will see a 64-cent monthly reduction in extended area service rates, while Grants Pass will see a 44-cent decline. Basic service of $12.80 remains unchanged in those towns. But in Gold Hill and Jacksonville, EAS charges will rise 36 cents and in Rogue River by 29 cents. Basic service will climb to $13.80. OPUC spokesman Bob Valdez said the changes in smaller communities may attract competitors. "As the rates get closer to the actual cost of providing service, companies will have a greater margin to compete," Valdez said. "There's been no room to make money, because it cost so much to provide service in rural areas in the first place." In-state long distance rates will be 11 cents per minute at peak times and 7 cents off-peak. The OPUC's order also reduces what Qwest charges long distance providers to use its network. It also caps prices for non-basic features such as Caller ID, call forwarding and various business services. "For most people, it will be a wash between long distance costs and the extended-area charges," Valdez said. Qwest challenged the commission's initial 1997 revenue reduction order in court. It was also an issue in the 1999 legislative session. Qwest was required in April 2000 to refund $284 million to customers through temporary bill credits. The monthly credits will end in January. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.