FCC to detail plan to revamp Bell network

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s plan to unbundle regional Bell companies' telecommunications services may boost rates for residential customers and on-line information services such as Prodigy. The FCC's plan will require Bell companies to sell their traditionally bundled services such as switching and routing piecemeal so that customers will not be required to pay for unwanted services. The proposal comes at a time when AT and T is beginning to offer its own information services and, according to the FCC, should help existing vendors in the field make better use of the Bell system. But because the amount spent on buying a variety of services may exceed that of the bundle cost, long-distance customers, particularly those who have on-line information services, may wind up paying more. Prodigy's monthly $40 per hook up charge may increase to between $140 and $180 per month.

Planning, United States. Federal Communications Commission, T, Business planning, Cost, Industry Analysis, Reorganization, Telecommunications Service, Videotex, Prodigy (Videotex system)

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Regional 'Bells' cleared to offer news and data

Article Abstract:

A US federal appeals court clears the way for regional Bell holding companies (RBHCs) to enter the information services market, an area they were previously barred from by Judge Harold Greene. The court's ruling, which went 3-0, gives RBHCs immediate rights to purchase information service companies or start businesses of their own. Newspaper publishers and others in the industry who oppose the entry of RBHCs into the informations market are taking their lobby to Congress in hopes of getting a restriction. Industry observers are skeptical that they will be able to convince Congress to act in the short term. RBHCs are delighted about the ruling and are eager to get down to business.

Laws, regulations and rules, Services, Deregulation, Government Regulation

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Bell Atlantic is barred from U.S. contracts

Article Abstract:

The US Treasury Department bans Bell Atlantic Corp from doing business with the federal government, saying that the telephone company misled the government on a contract bid. The Treasury Department says it believes a Bell Atlantic subsidiary, Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co, made 'material misrepresentations' in a bid for a $100 million contract to modernize the Treasury's communication systems in the Washington , D.C. area. The Treasury Department claims that Bell based its bid on the acquisition of telecommunications equipment that is not commercially available. Bell Atlantic is suspended from receiving future contracts pending an investigation.

Communications Equipment, Finance, taxation, & monetary policy, Telephone companies, Investigations, Telecommunications equipment industry, Telecommunications equipment, Bell Atlantic Corp., BEL, Powers and duties, United States. Department of the Treasury, Telephone Company, Government Contracts, Competitive Bidding, Verizon Washington, D.C. Inc.

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