Editor’s note: This column was edited on March 27 to correct some information.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks for all the information that you provide. My FairPoint basic charge has crept up 9 percent from March 2013 to February 2014. Aren’t these raises supposed to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission? I’ve seen nothing in the Sun Journal on this issue. — Gary, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots, who still has a landline, also noticed the increase. She compared her January 2013 bill with her January 2014 bill and found a $2 increase in her residential service, an increase of about 50 cents in various taxes and fees, and a $2 increase in her monthly DSL service.

However unwelcome, those increases are legal. FairPoint does not need PUC permission to raise rates for regular customers. Phone service has been deregulated (remember the breakup of Ma Bell?).

Phone companies do have to ask the PUC to raise rates for those who receive their phone service as part of the “provider of last resort” mandate.

For a definition of this concept, Sun Spots went online. Here is an edited version of it.

“In developed countries with a competitive telecommunications environment, some entity must be designated by the regulatory authority to serve the least desirable residential end user in the most remote location and requiring only the most basic service, but without the ability to pay for service at market rates. That designee is generally the incumbent local exchange carrier.” (In Maine that is FairPoint.)

This service allows those who are poor or who live in remote areas to have telephone service, which would not be provided if it was left up solely to a for-profit entity.

It is a similar concept to that of postal service, which gets mail to everyone, no matter how far out they live, even though it’s not cost effective based on the price of a stamp.

However, just like the post office, landline telephone companies are suffering from a decreasing customer base. Fewer people are sending letters; fewer people are getting (or keeping) landlines.

Sun Spots found a Bangor Daily News story from Nov. 13 about FairPoint’s request to the Maine PUC for rate increases.

FairPoint said it was seeing a shortfall between what it could charge current customers and what it actually costs to provide service to those eligible under the provider of last resort regulations.

To make up for that shortfall, FairPoint has asked for a $2 increase in basic rates for its own customers, as well as for some additional funds from fees paid by cellphone users (too complicated to get into in this column).

The Bangor Daily News reported: “That translates to an increase from $14.69 to $16.69 for residential service and from $32.28 to $34.28 for business customers, according to the company’s filing.”

Sun Spots did not find a follow-up story announcing that the requests were granted. You can read the BDN story at http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/12/business/fairpoint-seeks-telephone-fee-increase-for-maine-customers/?ref=search.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would be very happy to be included in your list of handymen. I will undertake most jobs but will be sincere in stating my capabilities. I give estimates, I am insured and my rates are very reasonable. — Dennis Despins, Lewiston, 207-576-7744

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].