RALEIGH, N.C.  – Deregulation of the prices North Carolina consumers pay for landline telephone service could be approved as early as next week.

Legislation that allows AT&T and 15 smaller providers to cut loose from rate-setting regulations of household service was tentatively approved by the state Senate 44-0.

Landline telephone providers want the option to drop out of Utilities Commission price-setting oversight because cable, Internet and wireless rivals aren’t similarly regulated.

The legislation would allow phone companies to set their own prices, except for stand-alone basic residential service. Rate increases for the basic service would be limited to inflation adjustments. Rural and urban customers must be charged comparable rates.