FCC asked for comments by Feb. 20 on CLEC access charge issues ra...

FCC asked for comments by Feb. 20 on CLEC access charge issues raised in U.S. Dist. Court, Alexandria. Acting in suits brought by several CLECs against AT&T and Sprint, court Jan. 5 referred to FCC issues involving obligation of interexchange companies (IXCs) to purchase CLEC access service. As part of referral process, AT&T and Sprint filed petitions Jan. 19 seeking FCC ruling on 2 key issues: (1) Whether there is any regulation or law preventing IXCs from refusing to use certain access services. (2) If not, what steps IXCs must take to avoid ordering access service or canceling service after it has been ordered. Replies are due March 2. Court has stayed remaining issues in case, pending FCC ruling, until July 19.