Bush again pro big Business-refuses to back FCC on Phone Competition Rules

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Bush again pro big Business-refuses to back FCC on Phone Competition Rules

Olson Rebuffs FCC on Phone Competition Rules

By Jennifer C. Kerr Associated Press Writer
Published: Jun 9, 2004


WASHINGTON (AP) - In a setback for federal regulators, U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson has decided against an appeal to the Supreme Court to revive new rules aimed at increasing competition for local telephone service, according to the Federal Communications Commission.<snip>

The FCC issued rules last August allowing states to require that the four major regional phone companies - Verizon, BellSouth, Qwest and SBC - lease parts of their networks at low prices to competitors such as AT&T and MCI.

The regionals balked, saying the rules left them at a competitive disadvantage, and in March, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia threw out the rules.

Consumer groups and others have warned that vacating the rules could lead to higher phone bills for millions of consumers.