AT&T is notifying customers that the company no longer will be governed by tariffs for certain services, effective Aug. 13.

A tariff, in this case, is an open contract between AT&T and the public filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Tariffs outline terms and conditions for providing service to customers including rates, fees and charges.

"We are currently informing customers that we are now offering certain services under contract, or a service agreement -- similar to wireless, Internet, and other services customers use from companies -- rather than under a tariff, which previously served as a contract with customers," AT&T spokesman Kerry Hibbs said.

AT&T made the announcement through letters mailed to customers in mid-June.

The conditions for the elimination of tariffs are for its Interstate/IntraLATA service, typically a long distance call that crosses a state boundary but remains within a Local Access Transport Area, Hibbs said. Examples of LATA are calls from Cape Girardeau to Belleville, Ill., or a call between St. Louis and western Illinois.

LATA includes message toll services, operator services, directory assistance and 800 services.

Though Hibbs did not have an exact date, he said tariffs have been in place on these services for decades.

The move does not call for a price increase. No action is required by customers, and the new service agreement takes the place of the tariff.

Hibbs said that customers will be notified 30 days in advance of any future rate increases, just as is the case now.

The move is a result of the Federal Communication Commission's ruling that the telephone company is a nondominant carrier, Hibbs said. "Basically, this means that we face sufficient competition, which eliminates the requirement to file tariffs," he said.

Copies of the agreement can be viewed beginning July 13 at att.com/servicepublications.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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