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Decision Clears Way For Balloting On Local Phone Service

NEW BRITAIN (AP) -- State regulators have issued a preliminary decision that

would clear the way for Connecticut residents to choose a local telephone

company by ballot beginning in September.

In the draft decision, the State Department of Public Utility Control ruled

that the voting could proceed with competing phone companies using Southern

New England Telephone equipment to place orders for local service.

But the decision also concluded that the equipment could not handle immediate

and full deregulation without a disruption in phone service.

Regulators instead have decided to phase-in the voting in three waves, each

lasting 45 days, beginning in September. If a customer does not choose a

company, one will be chosen for him, DPUC spokeswoman Beryl Lyons said.

"This progression allows full competition to develop as quickly as technically

possible while allowing competitive companies the time and opportunity to

develop their own facilities," the DPUC said in a written release.

A final decision is expected Feb. 25.