By AP/KWMU
Edwardsville, Ill. – A judge in Madison County, Ill. has given final approval to a $12.4 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit against former telephone company Ameritech.
The case involves a calling plan called SimpliFive. About 496,000 Illinoisans who signed up for the plan will be eligible for $25 refunds.
The plan offered fixed, per-call costs. But the lawsuit accused Ameritech, which now goes by the name SBC, of charging higher rates than they normally would have.
SBC spokesman Blair Klein says the company thinks settling would be better for the company and its customers than a lengthy court case.