Justice Dept. vows scrutiny of Bell deals; a goal of competition in local phone markets

Article Abstract:

The Justice Dept plans to develop and implement new regulations to ensure there is competition in local telephone markets. The pledge to develop new rules is motivated by the recent regional Bell operating company (RBOC) mergers. The Justice Dept will review the mergers according to the terms of the Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 and existing federal anti-trust regulations. The laws are written to guarantee that competition exists in any industry, including the local telephone market, but neither law specifies prices for providing access to existing telephone networks. Companies entering new telephone markets will have to lease network capacity from competitors who have built and maintained system infrastuctures. The Justice Dept and FCC believe in a national standard for network pricing, while the RBOCs want the ability to negotiate prices on a case-by-case basis.

Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Telephone communications, exc. radio, Local Telephone Service, United States. Department of Justice, Local telephone services, Government communications regulation

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New effort to settle data issues; struggle is seen for Gore and Congress

Article Abstract:

The Republican-controlled Congress and VP Al Gore plan to take different positions in re-writing telecommunications laws and regulations. The vice president wants to make sure consumers and schools have equal access to the information superhighway, while Republicans want to further deregulate the telecommunications industry. However, both sides agree on a number of key telecommunications issues such as letting local cable and telephone companies compete in each other's traditional markets. The telecommunications laws were almost rewritten in 1994, but failed to win passage when regional Bell operating companies intervened. The Bells complained to Congress that they were restricted in their ability to compete in other markets, while the regulations allowed other companies to compete in their markets.

Bell Regional Holding Companies

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Republicans seek a truce in phone war

Article Abstract:

Republican leaders in the Congress plan to pass new telecommunications laws by Jul 1995 that would deregulate the industry and let local Bell operating companies and long-distance carriers compete for each others customers. The Republicans also informed the local and long-distance carriers to quickly settle their differences or rules would be mandated through legislation that may not be in their best interests. The Clinton Administration does not agree with the Republicans' free-market competition because administration officials believe consumers would not be protected living in a society with unregulated competition among telecommunications companies. However, the Republicans and administration executives do agree the competition is needed in the telecommunications and cable industries.

Telecommunications, Telephone Communication, Republican Party (United States), United States. Executive Office of the President

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