COLUMBUS —Telephone service rules proposed by state regulators would hurt phone customers, consumer advocates and some cities said Tuesday.

        The Ohio Consumers' Counsel says the telephone service rules proposed by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio wouldn't protect customers from high prices and a lack of competition.

        Consumers' Counsel Robert Tongren says the proposed rules would eliminate important consumer protection standards that have resulted in fair and stable prices for years.

        Messages left with the PUCO were not immediately returned.

        The PUCO said last month that the proposed rules would “establish more oversight and less pricing flexibility for basic local exchange telephone service.”

        The cities of Columbus and Toledo joined the Consumers' Counsel's formal complaint.

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