Survey of Small Businesses' Reactions to Changes in the Costs of Telephone Service

摘要

At the request of the House Committee on Small Business, GAO sent a questionnaire to a representative sample of small businesses asking them how they have been affected by changes in the costs of telephone service. The report provides detailed information on questionnaire responses and GAO's analysis. GAO's questionnaire was designed to gather general information on how changes in telephone costs are affecting small businesses. Because of the limited scope of the questionnaire, GAO's survey results must be used with caution. GAO also reviewed a 1984 report by Bell Communications Research, Inc., on the effect of changing telephone rates on small businesses. GAO found that the report, while providing detailed data on small businesses' telephone expenditures, should have included additional information on its methodology and limitations to help readers avoid drawing any improper conclusions.