FCC granted complaints by AT&T and WorldCom Fri., ruling that U S...

FCC granted complaints by AT&T and WorldCom Fri., ruling that U S West calling service -- 1-800-4USWest -- violated Sec. 271 of Telecom Act because it permitted long distance calling by U S West’s local customers. Complaints were filed 3 years ago, before Qwest acquired U S West. Commission said case was similar to one last year in which FCC found Ameritech’s calling platform in violation of Telecom Act. “The evidence… demonstrates that U S West’s service is, in all material respects, the same as Ameritech’s unlawful service,” FCC Enforcement Bureau said in order. Among problems, agency said: (1) Calling plan was designed as combined service offering long distance component. (2) U S West relied on its brand name to market combined offering. (3) It used bill inserts and other mailings to promote service to its subscriber base. (4) It “maintained control and ownership of the customer relationship in connection with the combined services offering.” (5) It had “exclusive control” over marketing service. (6) It selected long distance provider that would carry interLATA calls and dictated certain terms. AT&T said case offered “clear- cut violation of Congress’s mandate that a Bell company not enjoy the benefits of being in the long distance business without first complying with the requirement that it open its local markets to competitors.” AT&T said case had been pending for several years and it hoped action “signals a resolve by the new FCC to act promptly to rule on complaints that Bell companies are violating their duties under the Act and the FCC’s rules.”