PUC Raps Cellular Phone Firms: The California...

PUC Raps Cellular Phone Firms: The California Public Utilities Commission reminded cellular phone companies that it is illegal for a firm to offer a discounted price for car phones contingent on customers agreeing to sign on with a specified cellular carrier. There are two carriers competing in each cellular market. Consumers would benefit more, the PUC said, “from lower rates or service improvements” than from such discriminatory discounts. Cellular Resellers Assn., a trade group, has charged PacTel Cellular and several sales agents with offering to install equipment free for customers who buy cellular service from PacTel, a unit of Pacific Telesis. That case is pending.