FCC Asks More Access, Disclosure From Carriers

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March 18, 1999 (11:52 AM EST)

FCC Asks More Access, Disclosure From Carriers

By Mary Mosquera,

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Dominant phone carriers will have to be more accommodating when they open their central operations offices to competitors, the Federal Communications Commission ruled on Thursday.

The FCC also voted to require long distance providers to publish their rates over the Internet. Terms and conditions from the many long distance providers are confusing, consumers have told the agency.

Access to the regional Bells' central offices is necessary for competition in residential phone service to take hold, said FCC Chairman William Kennard.

Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, new competitors may lease space and connect to the dominant carriers' computers and billing systems so consumers will have transparent service and billing.

On Thursday, the FCC specified the rights and responsibilities of both dominant and new carriers to help settle disputes over cost, amount of space, and limits to access at the phone company's facilities. Disputes have even arisen over bathroom use and parking spaces.

"We have got to resolve co-location disputes quickly if competiton is to happen," Kennard said.

New entrants will now be able to walk through the host carrier's facility to see what space and equipment is available. The regional carriers have cited company security for some of the leasing conditions.

"Clear rules will reduce cost and delay when new entrants need to co-locate," said Claudia Fox, an FCC attorney.

As much as the regional Bells do not want competitors sharing their facilities, their willingness to comply may help them gain FCC approval to enter the long distance market. Long distance approval will also give the regional carriers full entrance to the high-speed Internet market.

Bell Atlantic, which said it will submit an application for long distance entrance in New York, is considered the closest to gaining the FCC's blessing.

Long distance rates on the Internet must be made easy to understand and easy to find for consumers, said FCC attorney Andrea Kourney.

"This will provide more information so consumers can be empowered to be savvy shoppers in an increasingly competitive world," Kennard said. The FCC does not regulate long distance prices as it does local service.

Disclosing prices simply is similar to when grocers were required to print food prices on store shelves so consumers could comparison-shop, said Larry Strickling, chief of the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau.