Grueling meetings on phone plan end

A series of grueling meetings have ended at the state Corporation Commission.<br><br>The meetings have been aimed at changing how Oklahoma regulates the telecommunications industry.<br> <br>Today the

Thursday, October 14th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A series of grueling meetings have ended at the state Corporation Commission.

The meetings have been aimed at changing how Oklahoma regulates the telecommunications industry.

Today the Corporation Commission heard a final round of comments from Southwestern Bell and potential competitors on an alternative regulation plan.

Oklahoma's one of 12 states where regulation of phone companies is based on earnings.

That system would be replaced by pricing
regulation under rules being considered by the panel.

Southwestern Bell representatives advocated several changes to proposed rules.

They also opposed several suggestions offered by a coalition consisting of M-C-I/World Com, Sprint and A-T-and-T.

Commission Chairman Bob Anthony says the three-member panel has to resolve differences of opinion on about 20 items involved in the
rulemaking