Bell Operating Company Provision of Out-of-Region Interstate, Interexchange Services

Riepilogo

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission proposes a regulatory regime to govern the Bell operating companies (BOCs) provision of all ``out-of-region'' interstate, interexchange services (including interLATA and intraLATA services). Specifically, we consider whether the BOCs should be regulated as dominant or non-dominant carriers with respect to the provision of such out-of-region services. We tentatively conclude that, if a BOC provides out-of-region interstate, interexchange services through an affiliate that satisfies the separation requirements established in the Competitive Carrier proceeding, the BOC affiliate should be regulated as a non-dominant carrier. This Notice does not address BOC provision of in-region, interexchange services. These proposed rules will permit the rapid entry by the BOCs into the provision of out-of-region interstate, interexchange services while providing protection against anticompetitive conduct.