AT&T to increase long-distance rates

AT&T will increase the rate it charges stand-alone customers for long-distance services by 99 cents per month. Customers who subscribe to other AT&T services in addition to long-distance, such as local phone service, will not experience a rate increase. The increase will take effect on July 1 for customers who are billed for long-distance service through their local provider, and August 1 for customers who are billed by AT&T.

Rates are being increased to cover rising costs associated with interstate access charges, property taxes, regulatory compliance, regulatory lobbying efforts and government-mandated programs such as universal service, the North American Numbering Plan and telecommunications relay services--which allow speech- or hearing-disabled persons to place and receive calls at no additional charge over their regular phone service--said AT&T spokeswoman Janet Wyles.

“For a long time we were able to absorb these costs in our general rates, said Wyles. “But these costs are substantial and are increasing, and we can no longer afford to do that.”