AT&T wants to limit explanation of options.

Byline: John Nolan

Jun. 13--AT&T Ohio wants to stop telling customers their rights and options before they sign up for service.

State regulators should reject the phone company's request, Ohio's advocate for residential utility customers said Monday.

Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander said customers would be less informed before signing up for a service if AT&T representatives do not explain options when customers call.

AT&T, the former SBC Communications Inc., is Ohio's largest provider of local telephone service with 1.9 million residential phone lines.

AT&T asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio last month to …