Oklahoma, 22 other states, D.C., reach settlement with phone companies

<br>LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Oklahoma, 22 other states and the District of Columbia have settled complaints over how three long-distance companies marketed telephone service. <br><br>Officials said that AT&T,

Wednesday, February 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Oklahoma, 22 other states and the District of Columbia have settled complaints over how three long-distance companies marketed telephone service.

Officials said that AT&T, MCI WorldCom and Sprint did not disclose hidden charges when advertising long-distance telephone rates as low as two cents per minute.

The carriers denied wrongdoing but agreed to pay $1.5 million that will be distributed to Idaho, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

``A dollar can buy a whole lot more as long as consumers in Arkansas know that they won't be overcharged through hidden fees when they sign up for a long-distance calling plan,'' Arkansas Attorney General Mark Pryor said.

His office said that when monthly fees were added, the companies were charging 20 to 30 cents per minute to complete long-distance calls. Also, the companies were accused of not disclosing that some discounted rates were available only at night and on weekends.

The telephone companies said they will disclose the entire cost of service and any limits imposed on calling plans.