Telecom law faces challenge in court; baby bells, GTE to fight rules aimed at busting local phone monopolies
Article Abstract:
The regional Bell operating companies (RBOC) and GTE are among the organizations challenging the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The majority of the major US telecommunications carriers initially supported the legislation, which is designed to open up competition in the local telephone markets, but now they are issuing a legal challenge that could delay implementation by at least a year. GTE and Southern New England Telephone Co are asking the US Court of Appeals to block enforcement of the law, which requires the RBOCs and other local-telephone companies to provide huge discounts to rival companies that want to lease their lines and resell their local services. The US Telephone Association, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and several states are also planning appeals.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Bell Atlantic seeks court blessing in bid to quiet critic MFS; Baby Bell wants declaration that its business practices aren't anticompetitive
Article Abstract:
Bell Atlantic wants a federal court to proclaim its business practices are not abusive toward MFS Communications Co, attempting to silence a vocal critic and possibly uncover an antitrust suit. The unusual move may force MFS to reveal any antitrust actions it has planned against the regional Bell company. MFS offers local phone connections for long-distance companies and larger corporate customers in competition with regional Bell companies. MFS has publicly denounced Bell Atlantic's business practices as anticompetitive for the last 18 months, first beginning in Jan 1994. MFS officials dismissed Bell Atlantic's action as an attempt to gag a competitor and has indicated plans to continue to speak out against Bell Atlantic's alleged anticompetitive behavior.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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AT&T's equipment arm is accused of bullying Bells; incompatible products keep customers locked in, rivals allege in lawsuit
Article Abstract:
AT&T is the subject of a $3.5 billion lawsuit filed jointly by DSC Communications and Bell Atlantic that alleges that the equipment division of the long-distance company has failed to engage in fair competition. The suit suggests that AT&T has intentionally developed and distributed telecommunications equipment that the RBOCs cannot legitimately integrate with products from alternative sources. The companies further accuse AT&T of hampering the growth of Bell Atlantic's Caller ID program, whereby callers are given the originating phone number of incoming calls. Analysts are unsure of the effect that the suit will have on the division's spring 1996 IPO under the name Lucent Technologies.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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