Ruling gives lift to A.T.&T.: F.C.C. eases curbs on discount rates for big customers

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has eased pricing restrictions on AT&T's long-distance services, allowing the company to offer more aggressive pricing structures for high volume customers that use packages of services. T&T will now be able to negotiate individual service contracts with large customers and put the contract into effect in 14 days. AT&T must offer the same terms to other customers. The new system replaces one in which the company was required to submit proposals to the FCC and wait 45 days before putting them into effect. The proposals were often challenged by competitors. MCI Communications Corp and US Sprint may have won even greater victories in the same ruling. The regulation concerning access charges that long-distance carriers pay to local telephone companies, which was scheduled to lapse in Sept 1991, will remain in place indefinitely. Local telephone companies must also install equipment, by the beginning of 1993, to allow all long-distance carriers access to toll-free 800 numbers.

Regulation, admin. of utilities, Prices and rates, United States. Federal Communications Commission, T, Long distance telephone services, Sprint Corp., Long-distance telephone service, American Telephone and Telegraph Co., Market share, MCI Communications Corp., MCIC, Government Agency, Telecommunications Industry, Discount

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Judge allows phone companies to provide information services; opponents fear monopoly abuse by 'Baby Bells.' (Judge Harold H. Greene)(includes related article on possible opposition in Congress or in an appeals court)

Article Abstract:

Federal Judge Harold H. Greene lifts restrictions that prevent regional Bell telephone companies from offering information services. The ruling is opposed by newspaper interests, some long-distance telephone companies and consumer groups. Some say the implications of the decision are Orwellian: David E. Easterly, president of Cox Newspapers, objects to the decision, saying that the same people that provide information over telephone lines should not control telephone lines. Others envision economic consequences: representatives of the Consumer Federation of America say that increased rates for local telephone services might result. Judge Greene has ruled that his decision will not take effect until appeals are heard, which could take more than a year.

Demonstrations and protests, Science and technology policy, Information services, United States. Congress, Regional Bell Operating Companies, Telecommunications, Government Regulation, Bell Regional Holding Companies, Consumer Federation of America, Greene, Harold

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