FCC seems to back long-distance firms over regional Bells on access charges

Article Abstract:

The FCC may reduce the access charges that long-distance providers now pay to local telephone companies. The regional Bell operating companies (RBOC) are concerned that the FCC's actions may cost them $10 billion per year, or about one-third of the $30 billion they annually collect from the charges. The FCC has completed a draft of the rules for regulating the telecommunications industry once all markets are opened to competition. A final version is expected to be approved by Aug 8, 1996. Details of the draft version have not been released, but the rules appear to favor the long-distance companies over local providers. The long-distance companies and the RBOCs are intensifying their lobbying efforts in Washington. Some legislators, including Speaker Newt Gingrich, are asking the FCC to delay a decision on the access charges until the situation has been explored in more detail.

Telephone communications, exc. radio, Local Telephone Service, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Local telephone services

---

Telecommunications bill faces a vote today

Article Abstract:

The US House of Representatives will cast a final vote on a long-awaited telecommunications bill, after influential congressman are assured their concerns will be addressed in the bill's final version. Lawmakers will independently consider the validity of the television station provision of the bill, allowing the uncontested portion of the bill to finally draw nearer approval. Congress must determine the relative worth of the digital spectrum before establishing pricing guidelines for new licenses, which will be distributed via the FCC without an auction. The majority of the bill is designed to remove regulatory impediments and increase competition among cable, local and long-distance telephone companies. The extensive nature of the bill makes re-discussion of isolated topics a sensitive issue, and some lawmakers bray at the prospect of reassessing most provisions.

Political activity, United States. Congress. House

---

Baby Bells lose bid to get U.S. to return data

Article Abstract:

US Federal Judge Harold Greene rules that the US Justice Dept does not have to return the numerous RBOC internal documents presently held in the department's possession. The Justice Dept can now freely release the documents to the FCC for review, and that organization will determine the extent to which the RBOCs may enter various long-distance telephone markets under provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The RBOCs are fearful that the Justice Dept may make the approximately three million sensitive financial documents available to the public. Greene's decision will provide the Justice Dept and the FCC with appropriate means for monitoring and predicting the effects of proposed telecommunications mergers.

United States. Department of Justice, Litigation, Lawsuit/litigation, Greene, Harold

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Phone price wars may be far from over; long distance firms face challenge from bells. Avoiding the toll: the Baby Bells say that if their access fees fall, local phone rates will rise. Are they bluffing?
• Abstracts: Microsoft, H-P to unveil broad alliance over WIndows NT, business computing. Stripped-Down PCs will be talk of Comdex
• Abstracts: Netscape moves to raise stakes in browser war. Netscape revenue quadruples in quarter. Action-packed future is waiting on the Web
• Abstracts: CDI Systems. Deltek: Costpoint for project accounting. Deltek's costpoint
• Abstracts: Jewish rights group urges ban of all hate messages on Internet. Report of high Internet use is challenged; professor contends survey was skewed

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.