Florida Phone Carrier May Charge Customers For Hurricane Damage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CN) - A Florida phone carrier serving almost 50,000 lines in the Panhandle may bill customers to recover more than $300,000 in hurricane damage, the Florida Supreme Court ruled.

GTC asked the Florida Public Service Commission for permission to charge an extra $.50 per customer line for one year to help pay for networks and buildings damaged in 1995 by Hurricane Dennis. Florida law gives the PSC discretion to determine what storm costs may be passed on to customers, provided the fees are "reasonable under the circumstances for the named tropical system," the court ruled. See ruling.

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