Q: A recent article mentioned 12 rural independent telephone companies in Georgia. What are the names and locations of those companies? Bryant Steele, Rome A: Following the passage of HB 168, which was intended to reduce subsidies, 12 previously deregulated local telephone companies made filings with the Georgia Public Service Commission in December to return to rate regulation so they could continue to receive phone subsidies from the state's universal access fund paid into by all phone subscribers.