PEORIA -- Land line phone customers in Peoria and other Illinois cities can save an average of $194 yearly by switching to one of three Consumer Choice AT&T plans that are now available, Citizens Utility Board representatives said at a July 7 news conference.
We've seen "bloated phone packages" providing services that customers do not use, said CUB staffer Patrick Deignan. Instead they can switch to one of three plans CUB help negotiate into law. Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed the law. They are:
- The basic plan at $9.50 monthly, will allows 30 local calls monthly.
- The extra plan at $15 monthly, with unlimited local calls.
- The plus plan at $19.70 monthly which includes unlimited local calls plus two extra features such as Caller ID and voice mail.
The plans will be in effect at least until 2013, Deignan said.
A 2009 CUB study estimated that Illinois consumers could be overspending on phone charges by more than $1 billion a year.
Consumers also can sign up for a low cost long distance plan with Pioneer Telephone.These low cost services can help people keep their land lines, which provide enhanced 911 emergency services, so police, fire and ambulance services can find a residence quickly, and operate when a cell phone has run out of battery power, said Randy Fritz, 18th District representative to the CUB board. Land lines also work during power outages.
Details on these and other money saving plans, including ways to save money on cell phones, are available on the CUB website or by calling 1-800-669-5556.-- Elaine Hopkins
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