[12279] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Compromise sought on S.1822
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Eric Rabe)
Fri May 13 02:26:06 1994
Date: Thu, 12 May 1994 18:09:06 +0000 (GMT)
From: Eric Rabe <bellatl@ba.com>
To: telcomreg@relay.adp.wisc.edu, TELE290@gwuvm.gwu.edu,
niiregional-l@rain.org, com-priv@psi.com
Thought Internet readers would be interested in this News Release. A
full copy of Cullen's testimony from today's (May 12th) hearing is
available by Gopher and anonymous ftp at ba.com.
Eric Rabe
Bell Atlantic | Internet: rabe@ba.com
For Immediate Release May 12, 1994
Contacts: Eric Rabe 703-974-3036, <rabe@ba.com>
Shannon Fioravanti 703-974-5455
BELL ATLANTIC TELLS CONGRESS: IGNORE THE LONG DISTANCE MYTHS, LET ALL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS COMPETE
Washington, D.C. , May, 12 -- Bell Atlantic President James G. Cullen
today called on the United States Senate to look beyond the myths
perpetuated by the long distance telephone industry and craft
telecommunications reform legislation that "allows consumers to reap the
full benefits of competition."
Cullen, testifying on behalf of the seven Regional Bell Operating
Companies, pledged to the Senate Commerce Committee his willingness to
work out a compromise on S. 1822, The Communications Act of 1994. Cullen
asserted that simultaneously opening long distance markets as local
markets are opened to additional competition will lower telephone rates
and could create as many as 3.6 million new jobs over the next 10 years.
"To do anything less than opening both markets at the same time will
virtually preordain the winners and losers in this competitive
industry," Cullen said. "To do anything less will limit choices for
consumers."
Cullen added that if the local telephone companies like Bell Atlantic were
able to provide long distance service, consumers would have as many as
seven new choices for these long distance services. "The long distance
cartel remains closed," he said, "closed as the companies spread myths and
misinformation to keep competitors out of their markets."
Cullen suggested that telecommunications providers begin to talk seriously
about how they can work together in the best interest of the consumer. He
urged policy makers to focus on the realities of the marketplace and
create a compromise which opens all markets to competition.
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