P.U.C. puts brakes on new B.T.L. billing system

The Public Utilities Commission has put the brakes on an April advisory by B.T.L. to its analogue and fixed cellular customers that itemized bills would cost an extra five bucks a month. According a P.U.C. press release issued this afternoon, the implementation of a new billing system has in fact “constituted a change in the terms and conditions under which the service is provided”. We understand that the law provides that B.T.L., and any other telecommunications company has to formally apply to the P.U.C. for such a change and then await approval following a due diligence process before implementing a new policy. The commission says it has sent a formal letter to B.T.L. calling on the company to “immediately halt the implementation of the new billing system”, “reimburse all customers who have already paid to receive a copy of their calls in April” and “provide all analog fixed and mobile customers with a copy of their April bills”. This afternoon, the P.U.C.’s Roberto Young told News Five that the B.T.L. advisory has also highlighted the fact that for years, the company has been charging its G.S.M. customers five dollars a month for itemized bills. Discussions between company officials and the commission continue in an effort to resolve this issue.