In the loop; the FCC has told the Baby Bells they have to make their networks accessible to rivals; the Bells see things a bit differently

Article Abstract:

The regional Bell operating companies (RBOC) are protesting a recent FCC ruling requiring them to provide 17% to 25% discounts to competitors who plan to resell their local telephone services. The ruling is part of the telecommunications industry's effort to promote competition in all of its markets, but the RBOCs feel their costs are higher than their competitors understand. US West, GTE Corp and Southern New England Telephone believe a 5% to 10% discount would be more realistic. Some of the baby Bells are claiming they should not be required to offer discounts at all because of special situations. US West, for instance, claims it is more expensive to offer telephone service in the Rocky Mountains and Northwest regions where it operates. Pacific Telesis Group prefers California's state guidelines, which allow the company to resell its services at a 10% discount. The RBOCs are also protesting a ruling eliminating the charges paid by long-distance and cellular phone companies to have their calls completed.

Local Telephone Service, Telecommunications regulations, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Local telephone services, Government communications regulation

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Bells get boost in bid to offer long distance

Article Abstract:

The US Justice Dept's Antitrust Div will recommend that a federal judge issue waivers to regional Bell companies enabling the firms to offer long distance service. The exemptions to the 1982 consent decree that divided the Bell telephone system can be granted to any Bell companies that can demonstrate the existence of local competition and maintain long distance services in a separate subsidiary. This policy would remain in effect unless the US Congress passed a telecommunications reform bill with alternative provisions. However, the Justice Dept remains vague as to how it would measure the level of local competition prevailing in a region where the Bell company wished to launch long-distance service.

Long Distance Telephone Svc, Antitrust law, Long distance telephone services, United States. Department of Justice. Antitrust Division, Industry legal issue, Long-distance telephone service, Antitrust Issue

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