FCC ruled rate charged by Business Telecom Inc. (BTI) for switche...
FCC ruled rate charged by Business Telecom Inc. (BTI) for switched access to and from telephone lines of end-user customers was unlawfully high under Sec. 210 of Communications Act. Commission order adopted May 25 resolved 2 complaints filed by…
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AT&T and Sprint against Raleigh-based CLEC after primary jurisdiction referrals had been made from U.S. Court, Alexandria, Va. FCC said in years 1998-2000 BTI charged long distance carriers 7.2 cents per min. for switched access service. Comparing rates charged by BTI for similar services, average access rates of other carriers and rates charged by ILECs serving same areas served by BTI, Commission determined BTI’s rate was unlawfully high. For purposes of calculating damages sustained by AT&T and Sprint, FCC said highest lawful rates BTI could have charged were: (1) July 1, 1998-June 30, 1999 -- 3.8 cents per min. (2) July 1 1999-June 30, 2000 -- 3 cents. (3) July 1, 2000- May 30, 2001 -- 2.7 cents. Access rates CLECS may charge in future are subject to FCC order (CD April 27 p1) starting at 2.5 cents per min. in first year, dropping to 1.3 cents 2nd year and 1.2 cents 3rd year. Comr. Furchtgott-Roth dissented.