News - State
Panel ends subsidies for rural phone firms
Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:30 PM by Lauren Molenburg
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A Colorado commission has decided to phase out subsidies for telephone service in isolated parts of the state - and critics say that could lead to higher bills for consumers.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission says increased competition among telephone providers no longer justifies subsidies to those providers.
But the providers themselves say that despite better technology, Colorado's mountains are still there. And establishing wireless or satellite service in remote areas is just as difficult as connecting rural areas always has been.
The Grand Junction Sentinel reported the panel's decision on Wednesday (http://tinyurl.com/bfevjle).
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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