SOUTHWESTERN Bell raises rates slightly

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Southwestern Bell is raising service rates slightly in Oklahoma towns where residents now can call farther without long-distance charges. <br><br>The company said Thursday it will

Thursday, August 23rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Southwestern Bell is raising service rates slightly in Oklahoma towns where residents now can call farther without long-distance charges.

The company said Thursday it will reclassify about one-third of Oklahoma towns, meaning customers will pay slightly more in monthly fees.

Residential customers will pay an additional 30 cents to 85 cents per month, while business customers will pay 73 cents to $5.12 more per month.

Southwestern Bell said the price for basic, local service is based on the number of lines customers can reach without incurring long-distance charges. The rates go up as cities grow.

``The fact is most Oklahomans can call many more businesses and residents without incurring long-distance charges than they've ever been able to,'' said Jim Epperson, president of Southwestern Bell-Oklahoma.