Housewife Files to Participate in Telecommunications Proceeding at the California Public Utilities Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2003

CONTACT: HEIDI NEAL (661) 435-4900

Palmdale, CA- Heidi Neal, a housewife from Palmdale, CA, on May 2, 2003 filed a petition with the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) to become an intervener, and which would allow her to officially participate in its proceedings.

There are thousands of California families, who depend on their jobs at SBC to provide for them", Neal stated. Unless SBC is allowed to charge its actual costs for the phone lines, then it will have to continue to lay off families, and will not invest in the phone network that virtually all of California depends on for business and residential phone service.

SBC, the San Antonio based telecommunications company which currently provides local and long distance service in California, is in a regulatory proceeding with the California Public Utilities Commission, along with other competitive local carriers. AT&T and MCI are among the companies trying to keep the amount they pay to lease parts of the phone network owned and maintained by SBC, lower. Neal states that the current amount these wholesale customers pay is far below the actual amount SBC spends to construct and maintain the phone lines and switches - thus, leaving no incentive for SBC to invest in new technology.

I want to be the voice for the consumers and the families!" Neal said.

Neal added that, Consumers will also lose if the phone systems are not maintained adequately, or if investments in new technology are not made."

The CPUC encourages public participate in its decision-making. The Public Advisors Office at the CPUC helps consumers participate in proceedings at the commission.