Public Service Commission
PSC Allows AT&T Kentucky to Reduce Distribution of Louisville-area White Pages -Directories would go to customers by request only

       A plan approved today by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will allow AT&T Kentucky to end universal distribution of White Pages directories in the Louisville area.
       Customers in Jefferson and Oldham counties will receive directories only if they request them from AT&T Kentucky. Customers in the other 75 counties served by AT&T Kentucky will continue to receive printed directories that combine White Pages with Yellow Pages.
       The change also applies to Jefferson and Oldham county residents who receive phone service from another provider, such as a cable company. They will continue to receive a White Pages directory from AT&T Kentucky only if they request one.
       In an order issued today, the PSC found the AT&T Kentucky plan meets the statutory requirement that certain phone companies continue to provide subscribers with access to directories. The PSC noted that AT&T Kentucky will make the contents of the directory available on the Internet (at www.realpageslive.com), while existing and new customers who request a printed directory will receive one at no charge.
       AT&T Kentucky is the second incumbent local exchange carrier in the state to move away from printed White Pages directories. Incumbent local exchange carriers own and operate most of the telephone infrastructure within a defined service area.
       In April 2009, Cincinnati Bell Telephone, which provides service in Northern Kentucky, received PSC permission to stop universal distribution of White Pages.
       In seeking to follow suit, AT&T Kentucky cited a growing reliance by its customers on the Internet to obtain telephone directory information and the environmental benefits and energy savings associated with reducing both the production and distribution of printed directories.
       In its order, the PSC noted that it expects other incumbent local exchange carriers to follow the lead of Cincinnati Bell and AT&T Kentucky. It will treat each such request on a case-by-case basis to ensure that customers retain access to directory information.
       AT&T Kentucky said it will continue to include the listings of emergency and government information in the Yellow Pages directory, which will continue to be distributed to all customers in the Louisville area.  The Yellow Pages directories will continue to include business listings from the White Pages.
       Universal distribution of White Pages in the Louisville area will end in the second half of this year. In its application, AT&T Kentucky outlined the steps it will take to inform customers of the change and how they can obtain a printed directory.
       AT&T Kentucky said it has no plans to discontinue the inclusion of residential listings in the White Pages/Yellow Pages combined directories it distributes in its other Kentucky service areas. The PSC ordered AT&T to provide at least 60 days notice of any move to discontinue residential listings in those areas.
       The PSC also ordered AT&T Kentucky to report by June 30, 2011, on the number of Louisville-area customers who requested printed White Pages between May 1, 2010, and June 1, 2011; and on the number and nature of any complaints it received about the policy change and how those complaints were resolved.
       Today’s order and other documents in the case are available on the PSC Web site, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2009-00480.
       The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 100 employees.