South Carolina Public Service Commission Encourages FCC to Promote Local Phone Competition

The South Carolina Public Service Commission, which regulates BellSouth, has encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to recognize the importance of state regulation to drive local phone market competition. The FCC recently initiated a Triennial Review of federal rules that require BellSouth to lease its network (called Unbundled Network Elements, or UNEs) to competitors. The South Carolina PSC has filed related comments, reinforcing that states have the authority to require BellSouth to lease its network, thereby ensuring availability of competitive local service options to South Carolina’s citizens.

“The FCC is considering action that could reduce competitive alternatives for local phone service,” says Rodney Page, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Development for Access Integrated Networks, a Southeastern-based Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC). “State regulators want to ensure competition thrives,” says Page. “State authorities are in a better position than the FCC to determine what’s best for their own citizens.”

Because the FCC has no formal hearing process, numerous states have filed documents to make sure their position is represented. Public service commissions or agency representatives in South Carolina and Louisiana are among those from the Southeast that have filed comments with federal authorities.

“It has been six years since Congress mandated monopolies like BellSouth lease their network to competitors, and the statistics clearly show this is the path to local competition,” explained Joe Gillan, a Florida-based telecommunications consultant. “When competitors can lease the entire network, it results in competitive choice for residential customers and smaller businesses. It would be foolish for the FCC to limit BellSouth’s obligations now that local competition is beginning to emerge.”

According to FCC statistics, UNEs are now the most dominant method of local telephone service competition, with UNE competitors adding nearly 2 million lines nationally during the first half of 2001. One distinct advantage of this form of service is the benefits it brings to underserved and geographically dispersed markets, not just large businesses in major cities.

“Just as consumers and businesses are beginning to experience the benefits of competition, the FCC seems to be shifting its stance,” remarks Page. “Numerous states recognize the advantages UNE brings and want to ensure continued availability of this successful mode of competition. Access Integrated Networks supports the South Carolina PSC’s efforts.”

About Access Integrated Networks, Inc.

Access Integrated Networks, Inc. is a rapidly growing Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) providing telephone services to small business customers in nine Southeastern states. Established during 1996, the privately held company is headquartered in Macon, Ga. In addition to local telephone service, AIN offers long distance and toll-free service, as well as travel calling cards and consolidated local and long distance billing.