Poster
11-29-2004, 01:25 PM
The FCC has warned SBC Communications Inc. to make sure that the company’s new pricing plan for Internet-phone companies will not levy higher fees on the new technology. Michael Powell, Chairman of the FCC, said it appears that a new tariff filed by SBC last week doesn’t necessarily raise questions because it isn’t mandatory and Internet-phone companies can continue to use lower-cost alternatives. SBC faces the possibility of an investigation by the FCC.
“But ‘should we conclude that this tariff is being used to justify the imposition of traditional tariffed access charges on [Internet-phone] providers or to discriminate against SBC's competitors, the commission will take appropriate action including, but not limited to, initiating an investigation,’ he added."
“In a statement, James Smith, an SBC senior vice president, said it is the company's intention not to force any company to use the new TIPToP service, saying, ‘It is a voluntary offering that [Internet-phone] providers can purchase or not purchase.’”
For more information see: http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20041126-000844-1730
“But ‘should we conclude that this tariff is being used to justify the imposition of traditional tariffed access charges on [Internet-phone] providers or to discriminate against SBC's competitors, the commission will take appropriate action including, but not limited to, initiating an investigation,’ he added."
“In a statement, James Smith, an SBC senior vice president, said it is the company's intention not to force any company to use the new TIPToP service, saying, ‘It is a voluntary offering that [Internet-phone] providers can purchase or not purchase.’”
For more information see: http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20041126-000844-1730