FCC Upset Over Verizon, BellSouth Fees; Expect Formal Inquiries

[jayfish]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060825-7596.html

It looks like BellSouth and Verizon ruffled a few feathers with their decision to replace the old Universal Service Fund (USF) fees with new charges. FCC chairman Kevin Martin was "very upset" by the news, according to the Wall Street Journal, and the agency is preparing formal letters of inquiry regarding what the new fees will actually cover.

The letters are expected to ask about how the new fees will be used to support naked DSL lines in Verizon's case and regulatory compliance costs in BellSouth's. Furthermore, the companies should document how the fees comply with federal Truth-in-Billing laws, and why the charges should apply to all DSL customers.

Wow, a BushCo regulatory body actually regulating. Who'da thunk it?

Jay

[blm]

1. Hmm - there's always a catch with BushInc and it never involves concern

for the actual consumer, especially when it's the average working class consumer.

Bet on it.

[Supersedeas]

2. ooops, another whistleblower

[rumpel]

3. canceled Verizon DSL

3 months ago -

thank goodness

[MasonJar]

4. I cancelled Bellsouth DSL when the blankety-blank hit the fan. I

still have the land line, but am trying to wean myself off of it onto only cell phone.