Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications

    Telecom Startups Seek Stay

    By
    Caron Carlson
    -
    March 8, 2004
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Since the Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law, hundreds of new telephone companies, services and deals have sprung up in the marketplace—and almost as many lawsuits, policy disputes and lobbying battles over the laws intent have followed.

      Last week, a federal appeals court issued a ruling that many of the new companies fear could put them out of business. The decision to nix regulated network access will likely head to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the question of how far the government can go to promote telephone competition could be answered.

      Last weeks ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit could lead to the demise of many competing telecommunications carriers and, consequently, higher prices in only a few months, according to some policy-makers, including Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C. The decision overturns rules that the Federal Communications Commission approved last year requiring incumbent telephone companies—namely, the Regional Bell Operating Companies—to continue leasing a package of their network components (known as unbundled network elements-platform, or UNE-P) at regulated rates to startup carriers and other rivals.

      For the business market, policies regarding competing local telephone carriers affect mostly small companies, which have little leverage negotiating rates with incumbent carriers.

      After switching to a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier, ProScapes Professional Landscape Services Inc. cut its monthly expenses for telephone and high-speed data services about in half, said Paula Evans, owner of ProScapes, in Canton, Ga. “Were such a small company that competitiveness helps us get a better price,” Evans said, adding that she hopes the existing rules supported by competitive carriers are not changed. Initially, ProScapes switched to Cbeyond Communications but switched again to Alltel Corp. when it relocated to a town that Cbeyond does not serve.

      In addition to better prices, the landscaping company has gotten better customer service from the competitive carrier, Evans said. “I actually have the local telephone number of the [representative] at Alltel who set us up with our service,” she said. “I used to dread having to call [the incumbent telephone company] because youd get switched over and transferred and put on hold. It was a nightmare.”

      The courts decision was a victory for FCC Chairman Michael Powell, who voted against the rule but was outvoted when fellow Republican commissioner Kevin Martin sided with the boards two Democrats. Powell said he intends to begin recrafting the rules that will withstand court scrutiny, but Martin and Democratic commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein said they will seek to stay the courts order and appeal to the Supreme Court.

      Caron Carlson
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×