Telephone company representatives are asking the Iowa Utilities Board for new rules they say will bring telecommunications in Iowa into the modern era.
For example, phone companies would no longer be required to deliver paper phone books to their customers. Michael Sadler, with CenturyLink, says the paper books are getting used less frequently all the time.
“The reality is, the vast majority of folks don’t use the paper books any more,” Sadler. “I can’t recall the last time I opened up a paper phone book. I have a tablet and a phone that I can Google and search for things I need to find.”
AARP says many elderly Iowans still use phone books.
Proposed new rules would require phone companies to deliver paper phone books only upon request. Anthony Carroll, with AARP, argues many elderly Iowans and others don’t have internet access to look up phone numbers, so there should be a gradual phaseout of the paper books.
Carroll says, “That is going to ensure that the over 200,000 Iowa residents that do not have a computer are adequately transitioned, especially when they rely on the phonebook for their basic needs.”
AARP also opposes proposed new rules that would give phone companies more time to restore service when landline phones go down.
(Thanks to Joyce Russell, Iowa Public Radio)
