U.S. appears to ease stance in global talks on phone deal

Article Abstract:

US officials acknowledged on Feb 15, 1997 that they are very close to endorsing an agreement to open up telecommunications markets to global competition. Over 60 countries have been willing and waiting to sign such a world wide agreement. Included in the group is the entire European Union and most Asian countries, excluding China; only the US has held back from granting its approval. The US contains the largest and most profitable market, which makes gaining US approval fundamental in implementing the treaty. If agreed upon, the new treaty would require countries to open up their state controlled phone companies to competition, similar to the pattern the US has followed. The treaty would also make it easier for US companies to purchase significant positions in foreign telephone carriers. Should the pact be signed, the scramble to create global communications conglomerates is expected to accelerate.

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AT&T takes lead on a plan to cut long-distance rates

Article Abstract:

AT&T announced plans to cut its long-distance rates by $500 million from Jul 1, 1997, under a plan that the company has negotiated with the FCC . The rate reduction amounts to about 5% of the present rates and is intented for customers who do not use any discount packages at present. Other major long-distance carriers, including MCI Communications and Sprint, are expected to follow At&T. The telecommunications companies are also likely benefit from a broader plan that FCC will announce during the week beginning May 5, 1997. Under the plan, the access charges paid by the companies to local telephone exchanges will fall by $1.7 billion during the first year. The FCC is also likely to take other steps, including creating a 'universal service fund' of $3 billion to $4 billion to provide basic telephone services to the disabled, poor and rural residents.

Services, AT&T Corp., T, Long distance telephone services, Long-distance telephone service

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Court sets back F.C.C. efforts to open local phone markets; price wars es likely if big carriers are out

Article Abstract:

A St Louis appeals court has ruled against portions of the FCC's rules that force the local-telephone companies to open their markets to rivals. The decision will add more confusion to the already complex arena of telecommunications regulations. By ruling against the FCC's guidelines, the court has caused major setbacks for large long-distance telephone companies such as MCI Communications and AT&T. These companies and other have been attempting to enter the local market nation wide. The Baby Bells and other local operators such as GTE have protested the FCC's Telecommunications Act,which was designed to break up the monopoly they enjoyed. These companies have argued that the FCC's rules would not allow them to recoup the costs associated with providing their competitors with access to their local networks.

Local telephone services, Local telephone service

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