Opening nation's phone networks

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants Bell telephone companies to allow outside companies freer access to the Bells' networks. The FCC wants to encourage creation of customized services. For example, a telephone answering service might combine 'Caller ID' with a database of numbers, so that calls designated as 'important' by a subscriber would be forwarded. The FCC advocates an 'open network architecture,' which would provide outside companies with the same access to switching networks as Bell companies. According to Richard Firestone, chief of the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau, networks ought to be 'as open, dynamic and responsive as possible.' James Schlichting, chief of policy at the bureau, says that phone companies are not providers of everything to everybody. If others can use the phone companies' networks in innovative ways, he says, they should be allowed to do so.

Telecommunications systems, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, United States economic conditions, Open Systems, United States. Common Carrier Bureau, Firestone, Richard, Schlichting, James, United States. Federal Communications Commission. Common Carrier Bureau

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Telephone companies to get right to transmit television

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopts a rule that allows telephone companies to transmit television programming over phone lines. Telephone companies have been fighting for this right for several years, and many analysts believe that cable television companies have held a monopoly on television programming. Advocates of the new ruling believe that the decentralization will lead to price reductions due to increased competition. The ruling may also speed up the construction of a nation-wide fiber-optic network. These networks will eventually deliver libraries that offer text, data and video to home users. Opponents of the verdict are afraid that telephone companies will now cut into the $100 billion in annual revenues generated by the telecommunications industry. The Bush administration is trying to kill legislation that would regulate cable television service rates.

Cable and other pay TV services, Cases, Internet services, Cable television, Telecommunication policy, Telecommunications policy, Legal Issues, Cable Television/Data Services, Telecommunications Services Industry

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New F.C.C. rule aims at phone fees abroad

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes rules to limit international telephone call prices. The new rules aim to resolve an ongoing dispute between US regulators and foreign telephone companies. State-owned telephone companies abroad, which control telephone traffic coming into their countries, often charge much more than the actual cost for completing an international call. The FCC's rules will provide incentives to lower such costs by leasing international lines to foreign competitors at bulk rates on condition that the same practices are followed in countries where the lines are connected. In another action, the FCC adopted rules to prevent long-distance phone companies from switching customers to their services without proper permission. Such unethical sales practices have generated many complaints from phone company customers.

International communication, Telecommunications, International Communications

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