Rivals are hung up on Baby Bells' control over local markets; fight for Ameritech territory by US Signal illustrates obstacles carriers face; 'standing up for fair rules.'

Article Abstract:

US Signal Corp charges that Baby Bell Ameritech Corp has failed to live up to its promise to open its local telephone market to outside competition by requiring that potential competitors adhere to arcane technical standards. US Signal is trying to enter the local telephone service market in Grand Rapids, MI, its home town. The area is in the heart of Ameritech's regional telephone service area. Ameritech was the first of the seven Baby Bells, which where created in 1984 after the the breakup of the AT and T monopoly, to announce plans to open its market up to local competition. Ameritech made this move in order to help convince the federal government that the Baby Bells should be allowed to enter the long-distance telephone market. Telecommunications deregulation legislation that would open all telecom markets to competition is currently being considered in Congressional conferences. US Signal contends that Ameritech may claim that its market is open, but in reality it uses numerous regulatory, legal and technical obstacles to block competition.

Management, Planning, Services, Telecommunications systems, Company business planning, Telecommunication systems, AIT, Ameritech Corp., Company Business And Marketing, U.S. Signal Corp.

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Not welcome here: competition is coming to the local phone market. But thanks to the Baby Bells, it isn't coming quickly

Article Abstract:

Competition is on its way to the local telephone market, but the seven regional Bell companies are not going to give up their turf without a fight. Currently, only six states allow competition in local phone markets. This number is expected to change as long-distance carriers attempt to move in. However, the Baby Bells are not going to make any newcomers feel welcome. In the six states that allow competition, the Bells often cut prices, deny or slow access to their networks and employ old statutes in order to protect their niche. The result of all this bickering is that consumers will still be left without a choice of local phone services. Even if the Bell's rivals manage to enter the local market, they will probably compete for the most money-making business customers first, leaving residential customers out of the loop.

Long Distance Telephone Svc, Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Long distance telephone services, Market trend/market analysis, Long-distance telephone service, Market domination, Market share

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Telephone numbers hang up local Bell rivals

Article Abstract:

A number of issues dealing with the allotment and regulation of telephone numbers are causing heated battles between local Bell companies and their rivals. The local telephone companies that have control over phone numbers contend that they do not have the technology that would allow them to transfer numbers to a competitor easily. However, the FCC and some state regulators are skeptical about such claims and are taking a closer look at the issues involved. The debates between local Bell companies and their rivals are expected to become more complex as Congress attempts to open telephone services to more competition. Competitors have discovered that most potential customers are not willing to change their telephone numbers in order to obtain cheaper rates and better service.

Telephone company, Telephone companies, Competition, Marketing Strategy, Telecommunications Service, Bell Regional Holding Companies

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