FCC adopts rules to prevent abuses by phone services

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopts rules aimed to establish controls over excessive charges for long-distance calls placed through alternative services, which have been a source of consumers' complaints for years. The FCC's rules accord with legislation that was passed in 1990. The purpose of the legislation was to prevent companies from charging high rates - charges were sometimes two or three times as high as those of established carriers - and to prevent companies from placing calls through companies chosen by them. The FCC's rules apply to hotels, airports, pay-phone owners and others who control telephones that are used by the public. The rules require operator services to identify themselves, and information about rates and policies must be disclosed. The FCC also requires that the name and address of its enforcement division be posted on or near a phone.

Regulation, admin. of utilities, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Long distance telephone services, Long-distance telephone service, Pricing Policy

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Baby Bells face the growing threat of legislation over information services

Article Abstract:

A variety of information services companies are trying to block the Baby Bells' legal entry into the information services market, despite a 1991 ruling that allowed the seven regional phone companies to offer information services. Long distance phone companies, newspaper publishers, the cable industry, telephone equipment manufacturers and information service vendors are banding together to form antitrust legislation that could prohibit or limit the development of the Baby Bells' information services. The legislation is based on a 1982 ruling that broke up the Baby Bells. Many companies feel threatened by the possible competition and fear losing advertising revenues. The same antitrust ruling could apply to long distance phone services and manufacturing.

Information services, Regional Bell Operating Companies, Legislative process, Competition, Legal Issues, Antitrust Laws, Legislation, Bell Regional Holding Companies

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California adopts new rules to guide cellular industry

Article Abstract:

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) devises two state government regulations affecting cellular-telephone companies and pay phones. The PUC wants to encourage price reductions and healthy competition among those offering cellular radio/mobile phone services by preventing unfair practices by the cellular radio companies in their relations with resellers. In addition, rate reduction requests are to be effective as soon as requested but rate increases would require a 30-day review period. The PUC's second set of regulations concerns the pay telephone business by requiring information labels on pay telephones, the provision of free emergency, repair and directory assistance calls and pay telephone instruments that accept coins and credit cards.

Cellular telephones, Wireless telephones, Science and technology policy, California, Industry regulations, Government regulation of business, Trade regulation, State government, California. Public Utilities Commission, Cellular Radio, Telecommunications Industry

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