Law could alter phone service; Ameritech may face tough repair standards.(Brief Article)

Crain's Detroit Business, July, 2000 by Lane, Amy

LANSING - Michigan's new telecommunications law could lead to tougher service standards for local phone companies such as Ameritech Michigan. Current standards are ``very badly outdated,'' said Gary Kitts, chief administrative officer of the Michigan Public Service Commission. They are also less stringent than some neighboring states.

``Some states, like Ohio, have an expectation of restoring service within 24 hours. And certainly consumers in Michigan would be well-served for the Michigan Public Service Commission to take a look at that,'' said Rick Gamber, executive director of the Michigan Consumer Federation. In Ohio, Ameritech faces a proposed $200 million fine for an alleged 200,000 service-standard violations from August 1998 to June 1999, said...

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