Business and residential consumers are now able to choose different companies for their basic local telephone service, local or regional toll service, and long distance service. Your business can choose one or more than one company to provide all your telephone services. Competition in telecommunications means new products and services, and better value for your dollars.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) provides a guide designed to make it easier to understand your options among competitive telecommunications providers.

Competitive Service Providers

Should your business decide to change its local service provider the PSC has established inter-carrier service quality guidelines. These guidelines provide standardized operating procedures when the installation of new competitive services requires interaction with the local exchange carrier. These guidelines are commonly referred to as "carrier to carrier" and are available on the PSC's website.

Competition in telecommunication services allows for purchasing of various services either ala-carte or bundled from various providers. These services include local telephone service, long-distance service, dial-up internet service, wireless telephone service, calling cards, toll-free numbers, conference calling or Website hosting. Below are some helpful links that provide additional information and/or price comparisons:

Telecommunications Research and Action Center

www.trac.org

202-263-2950

A Bell Tolls

www.abelltolls.com

Decide.com

www.decide.com

Save On Phone

www.saveonphone.com

A list of telecommunications providers is available by accessing the PSC's website.

Area Codes

Competition in local telephone service has resulted in the assignment of many telephone numbers to new local telephone companies. In addition, the increased use of fax machines, cell phones, modems and pagers—each of which requires a telephone number—has resulted in the need for more area codes. For an updated map and listing of area codes in New York state, access. Check to see what area codes are in use in your area.

Customer Assistance

New York State Public Service Commission

3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350

www.AskPSC.com

http://www.dps.ny.gov/complaint_form.html

1-877-661-9223 For more information or if you have a question

1-800-342-3377 For complaints about your local, regional or other in-state telephone service

New York State Consumer Protection Board

http://www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/

1-800-697-1220 For complaints about your local, regional or other in-state telephone service, and telemarketing

New York State Attorney General

http://www.ag.ny.gov/

1-800-771-775 For complaints about telemarketing

Federal Communications Commission

http://www.fcc.gov/complaints

1-888-225-5322 For complaints about your out-of-state, long distance telephone service or cramming